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By Linda Mackenzie of Mackenzie Centre 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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