Why are family therapy programs typically part of comprehensive addiction treatment plans? There’s more to the combination of substance abuse treatment and family therapy than most people realize.
Addiction is not simply a chronic illness. Experts and specialists also consider it a family disease. Most people dealing with addiction will engage in harmful behaviors that can damage important family relationships. Working with a family therapist can be the key to starting the healing and re-connecting process in families affected by addiction.
If a loved one has decided to get professional help to deal with their addiction, having the entire family go to therapy sessions can be beneficial to both their recovery and the recovery of the family as a whole. Looking for substance abuse treatment programs that include family therapy? Reach out to Midwest Detox Center by contacting our team online or calling 833.647.0392.
What Is a Family Therapy Program in Ohio?
A family therapy program in Ohio will likely be the same as similar programs offered in other states. In general, family therapy is a type of psychological counseling meant to help family members resolve conflicts and improve their communication. Not all family members are required to participate in these short-term programs. If only those that are willing to participate and can attend agree to go to family therapy, that’s still better than not getting professional help at all.
Family therapy programs are typically provided by a clinical social worker, licensed therapist, or psychologist. These therapists usually have graduate or postgraduate degrees and may also have credentials provided by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). The treatment plan that therapists follow during a family therapy program will depend on the situation and needs of the family involved.
Session of family therapy programs can teach family members skills to deepen their relationships and connections. Understanding each other can help a family get through stressful times. The skills learned–that help family members understand each other better–will definitely be useful long after the family is done with the short-term therapy program.
How Does Family Therapy Help With Addiction Treatment in Ohio?
A family may attend a family therapy program aligned with other forms of care, especially if one of them has a mental illness or addiction that requires a comprehensive treatment plan.
Families that deal with addiction treatment programs in Ohio and elsewhere in the U.S. may not initially be prepared to undergo family therapy. However, most do attend family therapy sessions because this type of therapeutic care is helpful when it comes to their loved one healing from substance use disorder. What’s surprising to some family members of people in recovery is that family therapy helps them heal from the hurt caused by dealing with addiction issues, too.
Sometimes, family therapy sessions may also be a chance for family members to see how their loved one is doing. If the person struggling with addiction participates in a residential treatment program, for example, family therapy sessions may be the only length of time they can spend with family.
When it comes to an addiction treatment plan, the included family therapy program does not have to solely focus on how substance use disorder has affected family relations. Family therapy can help family members resolve issues and change maladaptive transgenerational patterns. Issues that may have created estrangement, misunderstandings, and resentments can affect a family for generations. Dealing with them properly with professional help can restore the well-being and balance of a family in therapy.
However, family therapy can also be beneficial for those affected by substance abuse. In a safe and therapeutic environment, sharing heavy emotions–anger, disappointment, fear, frustration, shame, and stress–can be transformational for family and individual recovery from addiction.
As mentioned earlier, addiction is a family disease. Therefore, a family needs to heal together. Family therapy allows for all members of the family to be present and active during the healing process.
What Can You Expect From Family Counseling Within Addiction Treatment Programs in Ohio?
Family counseling in Ohio, and the rest of the country, will often introduce new concepts to family members. Family therapists typically encourage discussions and then observe and note subtle and obvious challenges within dynamics between family members. They use the information they gather to help them teach families how to use more effective ways to relate and communicate with each other.
Some approaches that family therapists may introduce to families include the following:
- Including holistic care in family activities
- Journaling and writing letters
- Learning better communication techniques
- Learning open emotional expression and increasing family connection
- Providing methods for improving relationships
- Restructuring family dynamics
- Roleplaying
- Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT, in particular, is frequently used in family therapy programs connected to addiction treatment programs. This form of therapeutic care allows for emotional regulation by allowing someone to become aware of how their thoughts lead to problematic behaviors. CBT is also effective in the treatment of addiction.
With family therapy, family members can gain a deeper awareness of how to resume functioning as a healthy family. Furthermore, they may gain enough self-awareness to transform relationships with themselves and even others outside the family.
Ready To Learn More About Midwest Detox Center’s Family Therapy Program?
If you’re looking for substance abuse treatment programs with a family therapy component, reach out to Midwest Detox Center. You can contact our team online or call 833.647.0392.
