Family Substance Abuse

Since substance abuse is typically a progressive disease that only gets worse as time passes, family members don 't have the luxury of waiting around and hoping that the situation gets better. Doing so, can only end badly. In cases when a loved one with an addiction does not seem to be aware of the resounding effects of their problem, a professional intervention may be required.

Behavioral couple therapy (BCT) has been proven to be increasingly effective than individual therapy alone for those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction (Fals-Stewart, O’Farrell, & Birchler, 2004). Those suffering with alcohol or drug addiction typical started to abuse as a mean to cope with psychological, environmental or interpersonal relationship difficulties (Powers, Vedel, Emmelkamp, 2008). Furthermore, BCT has been shown to strength couples and families communication skills more effectively because addicts require all the support they need to main their sobriety (Powers, Vedel, Emmelkamp, 2008). Alcohol and drug problems have been shown to produce marital and family turmoil that eventually leads to thoughts of divorce or damaged relationship (Fals-Stewart, O’Farrell, & Birchler, 2004). Alcohol and drug sobriety is a long and daily process that not only addicts struggle with but family members struggle with how to support their love ones. The entire family unit suffers from addicted behavior in their own way of relapse. The BCT interventions allow for the couples to disengage in negative and destructive behavior that can produce a healthy and long last relationship that could very well be stronger than before addiction came into the picture (Klostermann, Kelley, Mignone, Pusateri & Wills, 2011). The addicts learn ways to maintain abstinence while the family learns techniques to support positive changes in behavior

First and most importantly would be to remove the clinician as an expert of addiction and come to the level of the client. This technique allows for the fostering of empathy, understanding, and growth in the therapeutic relationship, all of which have generally shown positive results (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2011). Another technique that would be beneficial would be to develop a family map and family life fact chronology, techniques that adhere to the Communication/Validation Family Therapy model but function similarly to a genogram (Satir, 1997). This would allow Ralph and his family to view the genetic component of addiction and begin the process of psychoeducation so as to foster growth. One of the most important techniques to keep in mind with this model is increasing positive self and familial esteem by encouraging growth of individuals and the system itself (Walsh & McGraw, 1996). With the negativity that Ralph is experiencing it is important to highlight his achievements to keep him from feeling as though there is no hope (Forsberg, Ernst, Subndqvist, & Farbring, 2011). Finally, the therapist would have to focus on developing congruent communication with all members of the system to foster support and growth for everyone (Nichols,

This essay covers the definition of a family, how addiction can change the role of the family, the impact of substance abuse in pregnancy, the lack of bonding between parents and children and the consequences of this. I will look at the parentification of children due to a lack of

A change in any part of a system will bring about changes in all other parts,” (4). Family is a system and within that system, all of them are necessary in the treatment of an addict. It is necessary for the addicted individual to receive treatment but equally important is for the family as a whole to get help. Often, substance abuse counselors focus on the needs of those with the substance abuse disorder. According to Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (4), “Whether a child or adult is the family member who uses substances, the entire family system needs to change, not just the identified patient (IP). Family therapy helps the family make interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental changes affecting the person using alcohol or drugs.” It is necessary for the entire family system to take part in getting better. If a family takes part in the healing, it can help them understand what is going on. This can help by removing an idea that the addicted individual may have that he or she is being ganged up on (4). As discussed above, siblings may see their brother or sister abusing drugs and themselves become an addict. Family therapy is also important in the prevention of this occurring. “A major goal of family therapy in substance abuse treatment is prevention – especially keeping substance abuse from moving from one generation to another. If the person abusing substances is

Addiction is a family disease; the whole family suffers. Over the course of the 10 years in which the IP was in active addiction, the “normal” for the family became dysfunction; especially over the course of the 5 years leading up to his sobriety. Now that her husband has received treatment, it seems as though the non-substance abusing spouse is seeking to reestablish familial homeostasis without realizing that their “normal” was dysfunctional. For this family to survive and create a new and healthy homeostasis I would suggest that they see a family therapist and where they can engage in discussions and problem-solving sessions as a group as well as individually (TIP 39, 2004, pg.6). I would also recommend that they individually participate

Drugs are a huge problem in society today. In 2012, it was reported that over 23.1 million Americans had some sort of alcohol or drug abuse. What I hope to discover is the role family plays in a drug or alcohol addiction. According to all of my resources, there are multiple themes that are reoccurring such as: traumatic childhoods, poverty and problematic relationships. Using the library database, I was able to find five resources that answered my question: How does family play a role in drug or alcohol addiction? The results were very mixed, family can either be the source of your addiction or the reason why you choose to quit. In the end our family and our financial situations have the greatest impact on our addictive

In second half of my practicum most of my time was spent in family therapy additionally, most of the women I was treating have been at the program as long as I have. Therefore, I have seen their evolution from the beginning even up to termination. However sitting down with their families allowed me to see another dynamic of how recovery can continue once they leave the program. Family support and community support in general is an essential piece to the client's recovery. Researchers believe family members in recovery from addiction or are the immediate or extended members of the family the days, weeks and months following discharge from treatment are critically important (Copello, 2010). In addition studies support the assertion that substance

addiction can throw a family into chaos, resulting in anger, lack of trust, hopelessness, and resentment. Our Family Programs include education about addiction and how families are impacted by the disease. Participants then focus on identifying ineffective communication patterns and unhealthy coping skills that enable the progression of the disease process (p.1).” The Family Education Program is an ideal solution to addiction if the individual chooses to participate. The knowledge of addiction, behavior, and attitude is the key to recovery. It enables the healing process to an addict’s life. The education does not stop with the treatment education programs but with a higher level of learning which resolves some inequality issue within a social

This paper examines how the abuse of drugs and alcohol can drastically alter the dynamics of the family as a whole. Addiction is a chronic disorder that tears families apart as it destroys the individuals themselves. There is a thin line that family members walk in order to function with an addict daily. The impact that family member have can either be a positive facilitator towards the addicts recovery or the family can become drawn into the addicts world of abuse and addiction. There are various assorted roles that family member take on when it comes to either interacting with an addicted family member or merely being an innocent bystander. Within the world of addiction there are tools that family members can utilize to gain a greater perspective on the disease as well as guard their lives from the insanity that sparks from addiction.

Substance abuse has always been a sensitive topic when it comes to family members and children. Whereas in the 20th century, substance abuse was considered to be a personal problem, recent studies indicate that family problems often occur when someone in the household is abusing their supply of drugs, alcohol, etc. This type of conflict in the family can have a bad impact on the children as well. The article “Treating Substance Abuse: Partner and Family Approaches” by Keith Klostermann and Timothy J. O’Farrell gives readers an inside look on how drugs and alcohol coexist with family problems. The second article “The 4 Traits That Put Kids at Risk for Addiction” by Maia Szalavitz tells you what characteristics in children lead to eventual substance abuse. Both articles, though very different, are similar in a way. The articles are not aimed at one specific person, but rather a wide variety of people. Whether you are an addict yourself or a curious student, these articles give clear and precise facts regarding substance abuse.

To begin with, addiction has been come an epidemic in society today affecting family work ethics and values. nevertheless, the family system is being broken in many ways that the results can be catastrophic or damage to a family unit. to clarify substance abuse I've been crimes against family members and community child abuse, sexual misconduct domestic violence, prostitution minor crimes and behavior problems which may be difficult for individuals to handle. none of the less the stages of addiction in the family system or denial home treatment chaos and loss of control. “The belief of the family system is that addiction problems are the results of negative behaviors, dysfunctions or pathology namely the female spouse as the blame”(Copello, Templeton, Orford, & Velleman, 2010, pg.100).Homeostasis in the family system is broken where it can resist or maintain secondly homeostasis within the family system is changed and unbalanced but there are numbers to debility yet there are patterns that develop enabling the addict. family structure is disorganized because addiction has destroyed and created boundaries within the system which normal not agreed upon chosen family members. The addict helps maintain family balance by deflecting attention away from real problems limiting the addiction and family motto within family members who you don't talk don't trust don't feel. Therefore, a family system affected by addiction experiences changes which impact the addict and the individual

To begin with, substance and addiction disorders has become an epidemic in society today, affecting family, work ethics, relationships, and values. The family system, broken in many ways and the results can be catastrophic or damaging to a family unit. To clarify, substance and addiction disorders onset crimes against family members/communities, child abuse, sexual misconduct domestic violence, prostitution, minor crimes, and behavior problems difficult for individuals to handle. Another key point, stages of addiction within the family system is denial, home treatment, chaos, and loss of control. “The belief of the family system is that addiction problems are the results of negative behaviors, dysfunctions or pathology namely the female spouse as the blame” (Copello, Templeton, Orford, & Velleman, 2010, pg.100).

Unlike a friend or family member who knows the addict too well to provide effective help, a professional interventionist can observe the situation from a neutral standpoint and offer help based on their experience. After working in the rehabilitation industry, they understand that addicts can be difficult to truly communicate to and ignite a change from. That’s why they encourage families and an addict to attend sessions together so that they can be united under one vision of working together to become

Counseling an individual battling drug addiction this, week session, built my skills in perfecting my referral knowledge. It comprised of the necessary steps and guidelines to follow. Working alongside Chaplain Fletcher gave me assurance as we welcomed a young man to the Peacemakers office who was requesting help from drug addiction. This 30-year-old man immediately started voicing his wrongdoings of breaking the chances of starting a family with his fiancé of six months. Confessing of stealing his fiancé’s jewelry to provide cash for his drug habits, he voiced apologetically and compassion regret. He sympathetically admitted to his want to regain his family structure. He declared he messed up badly and was willing to take measures that would bring changes for the better. His action resulted in him not being able to reside under the same roof with the mother of his son. He pleaded that his environment contributed to his failure of not achieving total control of his actions. He since moved back to his mother’s house which is not the best place for him, because his dad and little brother continue consumption of heavy alcoholic drinks, smoking, and drugs abuse.