Recovery can pan out differently for each individual, including their surroundings. An individual’s family is their biggest “caretaker” and possibly the primary reason for their derailed recovery. Participating in an online family program can offer the convenience needed for each family member to become aware of how their behaviors can affect their loved one, both positively and negatively. Family support is a critical element in sustaining long-term recovery. Participating in an online family program at Renaissance Ranch can significantly increase one’s family bond and overall quality of life.
Maintaining Recovery as a Family With an Online Family Program: Challenges of Recovery Without Family Support
Early recovery can be a vulnerable stage for someone with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions. The transition into recovery can be a stressful phase, leading one to feel very vulnerable and sometimes alone. For example, those in recovery are typically required to remove any connections with others who continue to engage in substance use, find an employer that provides a sober, working environment, and sometimes leave their current residence and move to a location with reduced substance exposure.
Early recovery can be a busy stage, but late recovery can also be challenging. This is where everything begins to slow down. It can be tough for one to stay on track while in recovery. When boredom kicks in, an individual may be at an increased risk of going down the three stages of relapse. These stages include emotional, mental, and physical relapse. It starts when one remembers the last time they used but has no interest in repeating past addictive behaviors. They later begin to fight the war inside their mind to engage in substance abuse and, lastly, surrender to physical relapse.
Maintaining Recovery as a Family With an Online Family Program: The Importance of Family Support in Recovery
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), every family is different. However, all families have a bond that can facilitate one another during great hardship. Family members who choose to act as a positive example for their loved ones by maintaining abstinence can reduce the likelihood of engaging in substance use.
Doing so can provide the support needed to help their family member maintain treatment, cope with their mental health, and overcome addiction. An individual family is the primary source of nurturement and development. Family members can connect their loved ones with helpful resources, supportive services, and treatment to assist them in reaching the best possible recovery outcome.
Maintaining Recovery as a Family With an Online Family Program: What Is Family Therapy?
Addiction can impair many different aspects of an individual’s life. For example, an individual’s work performance, academic progress, and relationships may significantly be impaired. Recovery can be a difficult time for some individuals because they may find it challenging to forgive themselves for their past addictive behaviors and mend relationships with loved ones who have been affected by their active addiction.
Fortunately, attending family therapy can help repair a broken family bond. Based on an aforementioned SAMHSA study, family therapy pertains to the idea that a family is made up of complex parts. Even the slightest change can alter the family’s future. Knowing that a family may remain stuck in an unhealthy way of living even after a loved one transitions into recovery, family therapy can help the family heal and recover as a whole.
Family therapy is a type of group intervention involving each family member to work through certain challenges, help one another understand their loved one’s condition, how their behaviors can impact their loved one’s journey, and learn how to support one another as a team.
The Value of Attending an Online Family Program in Recovery at Renaissance Ranch
Life can get busy; bringing the whole family together can be difficult. The online family therapy program at Renaissance Ranch offers the convenience and accessibility for each member of the family to gather together online to understand healing is possible. Their facility understands the pain of family members who are dealing with addiction. They are available to give hope through recovery resources and solutions that work. Additional benefits that can arise from family therapy include:
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Comfort and familiarity
- Reduced stigma
- Flexibility
- Improved communication
- Strengthened relationships
Tips to Maintain Family Therapy in Recovery
The ups and downs in recovery can leave family members feeling discouraged. It can be tough to get the entire family to stay dedicated to group psychotherapy. Preparing before family therapy can ensure certain topics are readily addressed to reduce boredom and confusion. Simply showing up can encourage each member of the family to show up as well. Staying respectful when opening up can reduce unwanted tension and improve communication within the family. Listening actively can help other family members understand they are not wasting their time showing up. Setting healthy boundaries can support the family’s emotional and mental well-being during each session to maintain recovery together.
We understand the complex challenges of supporting a loved one through the recovery process. Renaissance Ranch is here to extend a helping hand not only to aid in the therapeutic healing journey of your struggling loved one but also extend our hand toward you, the often-overlooked struggling family member. We provide recovery 12-step and education groups for those struggling with addiction and/or codependency. Provided at no charge for those 18 and older/youth group ages 12-17. For optimum success, we encourage you to attend groups for at least 6 months and reach out for a sponsor. You do not have to recover alone; newcomers are the group’s most important members. Call us at (801) 308-8898 for more information.