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RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
What do families in recovery from addictions need to move forward?
Families in recovery from alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other forms of
addictions, need a set of tools that will empower them. Addiction is
cunning, baffling and powerful and will stop at nothing to get what its
wants. It is progressive and the addicted person progresses from early to
middle to late stages. The family members join in this experience and ride
the wave. There are two stages required for a family in recovery to heal:
Stage one includes support, education and treatment so the family can move
forward in the healing stages together. This may start with the addicted
person seeking treatment; however it is critical for the family to attend
“family week” so they can heal together. This is a family illness and each
person is impacted due to addiction being the driving force.
The first year in recovery for a family needs to focus on rebuilding
relationships, and as the addict stays away from their addiction, the work
begins and healing takes place. New coping skills are designed in this stage
and they come from the help of 12 Step Programs and other support groups in
the community. Counselling can also be very beneficial to support the
recovery process. Once a family can make sense of the story, acceptance of
this illness can follow and all family members move forward in the journey.
Stage two includes an aftercare component. You have heard many stories about
the addict relapsing in this time frame. They return home from treatment and
they stop utilizing the tools they were taught in treatment and active
addiction begins. This may take place due to the addict and the rest of the
family not having an opportunity to practice these new skills with the
support needed. Aftercare is the time to do some core healing from the
addiction. This requires professional help and a plan of action that will
get to the thinking, feeling and doing part of ones recovery. In this stage,
feelings come up and want to be expressed. One cannot heal what they cannot
feel; addiction numbs this process for the addict and the rest of the family
is affected.
By now family members have become really good at identifying and
communicating what they think, feel and need. They have come from despair
from addictions to the freedom of recovery and this is no small task.
Families in recovery need to celebrate and be commended for this journey for
they are true Heroes for fighting the grips of addiction and winning one day
at a time.
For more advice on addiction recovery & aftercare programs, contact
Linda Mackenzie, B.SW, R.SW, M.A.C. at 403.620.7412 or email
lindamackenzi@shaw.ca
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