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Family Therapy Program in Florida
Substance use disorder is a family issue. First, it affects everyone in the household. Second, the family dynamic is sometimes a contributing factor. Families marked by dysfunction, secretiveness, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse tend to pass them down to the next generation. A family therapy program, like that used in substance use addiction treatment, can stop the succession. In family therapy, counselors coax secrets out into the light for discussion. As a result, clients find solutions. If you or someone in your family struggles with a substance use disorder, it may surprise you to discover how effective addiction therapy programs like family therapy is in treating it.
Benefits of Family Therapy for Addiction
Children who grow up in homes where caregivers struggle with substance use disorder often have difficulty coping as adults. Because they have no healthy role models to draw upon, they may have trouble sharing feelings, coping with emotions, and asking for help when they need it. Similarly, if their needs went unmet in childhood, they may not expect to have them met as adults. As a result, they may become involved in abusive relationships or work in thankless jobs. They may feel too uncomfortable to defend themselves. Similarly, they do not feel worthy of defense. They may struggle vainly to take care of everyone around them because, in childhood, they were the caretakers. In the meantime, they neglect their own needs because they don’t seem important. This is the Adult Child Syndrome, and a good family therapy program can prevent you from passing it onto your own children. It can also teach you healthier coping methods if you are the adult child of a substance abuser. A family therapy program is beneficial in many ways, including:
- Helping family members recognize when they’re acting as enablers
- Resolving hard feelings and family conflict
- Teaching coping behaviors for moving forward
- Healing codependency
- Educating family members about substance use disorder
- Easing feelings of guilt and shame
Family therapy can relieve huge burdens from the person who struggles with substance use disorder. It can also help other family members learn how to take care of themselves in the future.
Who Attends a Family Therapy Program?
Family therapy for addiction always includes the person who is using drugs or alcohol. But it includes other family members, too. Teens in recovery may wish to have their mother, father, and siblings present. Adults in recovery may wish to include their spouse and children. There are no hard and fast rules concerning who can and can’t attend family therapy meetings. However, those who live in the same household as the person who is in recovery are usually the first choices. Then again, if you’re an adult who has been impacted by the way you grew up, it may be beneficial to include your parents or caregivers in your family therapy sessions. The intent is not to place blame or to bring others to justice. Rather, it’s an attempt to have an open and honest discussion on moving forward more healthily.
Family Therapy for Addiction in Florida
Gulf Breeze Recovery is a drug and alcohol addiction recovery center for clients in and around the Gulf Breeze area of Florida. Our integrated treatment approach includes an excellent family therapy program to help clients improve interactions and relationships with other family members. It can also prevent those who struggle with substance use disorder from passing unhealthy behaviors onto their children and grandchildren. When you’re ready to seek recovery from substance use disorder in the Florida area, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery at 833.551.2304. Alternatively, you may visit us online for a complete list of services and view our accommodation gallery.
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