Continuously growing and strengthening relationships is important for good mental health. Humans are social beings who require deep connections with others to remain healthy and happy. For those recovering from addiction, this is easier said than done. Addiction can wreak havoc on a family, affecting each member’s ability to trust and feel safe. When a person is trapped in an addiction, they may do or say harmful things that damage relationships. This makes it difficult to repair those relationships. In some cases, people may feel that the damage is too severe to be remedied.
The truth is that anyone can accomplish the goal of healing and strengthening relationships with their loved ones, including our alumni. As long as the person and their loved ones are still alive and willing to try, there is always a chance of mutual healing and renewal. However, it takes a lot of work, dedication, and professional help to accomplish this goal. That’s why at Renaissance Ranch, we work to help clients and their families achieve mutual healing and begin anew.
To understand how healing and strengthening relationships can assist you and your family, we must first examine the personal changes that need to occur.
The Power of Reflection and Self-Forgiveness
As we’ve stated, when someone is struggling with addiction, they can hurt the people they love. This hurt can result from angry words or neglecting another’s needs and feelings. Sometimes serious offenses such as theft or violence cause hurt feelings as well. Though a person may not be completely in control of their actions while intoxicated, the hurtful actions still occurred and are not easily forgotten. It’s not uncommon for hurt family members to distance themselves from a loved one in treatment so they can focus on their own recovery. However, this does not mean that those relationships are lost forever.
It’s important to look within oneself and do some soul-searching and reflection during the recovery process. Treatment programs at Renaissance Ranch assist with this reflection process through psychotherapy and other therapeutic tools. Many people carry shame and guilt within themselves that can interfere with the recovery process and hamper success with sober living.
That’s why those in recovery learn not just to apologize to the ones they love, but also to forgive themselves in the process. Sometimes, family members wait for their loved ones to take accountability for their actions before they decide to reenter their lives. The process of forgiveness opens the door to improving and strengthening these family relationships.
Why Healing and Strengthening Relationships Matters
There are several reasons why facilitating healing and growth is essential for both individuals in recovery and their families. For the individual, healing and recovery allows them to right any wrong they may have done and take accountability for their actions. This makes the individual more aware of their actions, which can prevent those actions from being repeated in the future. The healing process also helps individuals face conflict and solve familial issues with a new, healthier outlook on life.
For families, the healing process gives them a way to move forward with their loved ones. Although apologies cannot erase a negative action, how the individual chooses to act going forward signals growth and maturity. During recovery, many people are encouraged to perform acts of restitution and work to repair what has been broken. Doing so helps families and their loved ones to support each other through life’s challenges. This support is especially important for individuals in recovery, as families can help prevent relapse and encourage continuous improvement.
Healing and Strengthening Relationships Through Professional Assistance
Taking steps toward forgiveness and growth can be difficult. Not knowing what to do, especially when a person has caused harm, can make the situation worse. That’s why at Renaissance Ranch, we provide professional and evidence-based assistance to help in the process of healing and strengthening relationships.
This process begins during treatment. First, clients undergo psychotherapies designed to help them identify harmful thoughts and behavioral patterns. Next, they learn how to change these patterns into healthier ones. Communication and conflict-resolution skills are also taught, which facilitates relationship growth. For serious conflicts, family therapy offers a safe and supportive environment for mending wounds and encouraging growth.
How Families Are Included in the Healing Process
When it comes to receiving support at Renaissance Ranch, families are not excluded. Our family-centered services include webinars, classes, podcasts, and other tools to encourage whole-family healing. Understanding what a loved one needs in recovery helps families provide healthy support for their loved ones. Encouraging growth and strengthening relationships is not just a means to heal hurts. It’s also a way for families to learn what support is needed for their loved one in recovery. This includes preventing enabling or dismissive behavior, which can keep families trapped in a cycle of addiction.
Struggling families are always encouraged to reach out for help at Renaissance Ranch. We help families during every step of the recovery journey, from the initial intervention to post-treatment assistance. With a focus on individual and familial services, each client receives the comprehensive and focused treatment needed to recover from addiction. At Renaissance Ranch, we are not just there to aid in the recovery of addiction and its co-occurring mental health disorders. We are also there to heal the wounds of addiction, one family at a time.
Staying in recovery and maintaining continuous growth requires plenty of assistance and support. Many people receive this kind of support from their families, which can assist them while adjusting to sober living. Addiction, however, can damage relationships to the point where it can feel like they are beyond repair. However, there is always a chance to repair and strengthen relationships with the right professional help. At our Renaissance Ranch facilities in Utah or Idaho, clients utilize professional resources and therapies to begin the healing process and re-forge familial bonds. If you and your family are struggling with the aftermath of addiction, don’t wait. Reach out for help today by calling Renaissance Ranch at (801) 308-8898.