The Important Role Family And Friends Play In Alcohol Counseling

The Important Role Family And Friends Play In Alcohol Counseling

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that changes how people behave and function in their daily lives. As a result, treatment and recovery need to be taken seriously. Family and friends of an addict play an important role in their loved ones’ recovery journey. They provide support, help them avoid enabling, advocate for treatment and educate them about substance misuse.

Family And Friends Support

While some family members may be unwitting victims of a loved one’s addiction, others are able to help their loved ones achieve and maintain sobriety. Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family ecosystem after all. In these cases, family counseling is helpful to identify the roles each member has taken on. It also helps families learn how to overcome those harmful roles they’ve adopted. During a loved one’s early recovery, it’s important for all family members to create a drug-free and alcohol-free home environment. This will reduce temptation and make it easier for the addict to stay sober.

Interventions

Organizing an intervention is not a quick or easy task, so it’s important to make the right decision and be prepared for your loved one’s objections. Prepare calm, rational responses to your loved one’s objections and offer solutions that will make it easier for them to go to treatment.  Be sure to ask the person in question what they think of your plans, and if they have any questions or concerns. And when planning the intervention, remember that it’s essential to have an experienced professional. If not, the intervention can be more confrontational and less effective. It can also lead to frustration, recriminations and a misunderstanding of the situation.

Treatment

During a loved ones recovery journey, family members can assume various roles as they attempt to support and manage their loved one’s alcohol use. Some relatives may retreat and avoid the person, while others adopt enabling behaviors. Treatment options for alcohol addiction include talk therapy, medication, medically supervised detox, and other approaches based on the individual’s needs. Treatment is usually individualized and aims for a sustained reduction in drinking, along with other health and social benefits. Counseling can be conducted in an individual, group or family setting. Therapists might also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals identify the negative beliefs that trigger their alcohol abuse and replace them with positive views. Treatment for alcoholism can be a life-changing process. With the help of a counselor, patients can find new motivation and a sense of hope for their future. The goal is to achieve long-term sobriety and live a fulfilling life free from alcohol dependency.

Categorised in: General, Substance Abuse Counseling

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