Addiction Affects the Whole Family
Addiction is a family disease. The staff at Providence Treatment dedicates themselves to the recovery of both its patients and their families through intensive family therapy. When a person is active in their alcoholic and drug-addicted behaviors, the family system is extremely stressed. The communication is usually an offensive-defensive style. This often includes a great deal of dishonesty on the part of the addict and “finger pointing” on the part of the family members.
In early recovery, the family system is also unstable. The communication is usually guarded and fear-based. Sometimes the family members have a need to control the addict by checking in if they are attending meetings, working a program, etc. The alcoholic or drug addict is unsure whether they can ever repair their relationships with their loved ones. Of course, intensive family therapy can help mend these broken lines of communication.