Drug Addiction

The role of the family when dealing with drug abuse and addiction is a huge one.  Family therapy can have a huge impact in conquering the drug abuse and addiction that has affected, most likely, every aspect of your family dynamics.  It’s not an easy road to walk on, but when family therapy is implemented, you all will learn how to deal with drug abuse and addiction in a healthy and productive way.

When your loved one is in a rehab clinic, you will likely be asked to attend family therapy sessions on site.  This is an extremely important part of the recovery process.  You may be hesitant to attend these sessions, but rest assured that they will be life-affirming for not only you, but your loved one as well.

Often, the person who has the addiction is feeling alone and withdrawn from the family.  That could be the reason why he or she began using in the first place.  People who abuse drugs are looking for a way to fit in – a tool to help them be part of something when they feel alone.  That often has to do with feeling alienated from the family.

When you participate in family therapy, you are telling your loved one that you care about them and their recovery and that it is important to you.  If you find yourself resistant to participation, just keep in mind that you are there to learn and to help.  It is important to show your support when a loved one has an abuse or addiction problem with drugs.

Family therapy can actually strengthen your family in ways you never even considered before.  What family can’t use a little advice and guidance when it comes to their lives?

In today’s world, dysfunction is a family dynamic that is all too common.  When you are participating in family therapy for drug abuse and addiction, you are saying that you want something to change within that family dynamic and make it better than it is.  You may think you have the “perfect” family, but no one really does.  A little soul searching can go a long way – especially for the family member who is struggling with abuse and addiction.

Substance abuse affects families – there’s no doubt about that.  Whether your loved one is in an inpatient or outpatient program, it’s essential that you obtain family therapy for drug abuse or addiction in some shape or form.  You’ll all be much better for it, and your loved one will have an easier time becoming drug-free.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise and many more people are finding themselves with an addiction to those prescripton drugs.  Think about how you feel when you’re in pain – not just a little bit of pain – a lot of pain.  What is the first thing you think about?  If it’s me, I think about relieving that pain.  In fact, that’s one of the first and foremost thoughts in my mind – what can I do to get rid of this horrible pain?

So you go to a doctor and tell him or her about your pain, and your doctor prescribes a pain killer to help you.  Aaaahhh, you feel better.  You think you’ve found a bit of a miracle just by swallowing a little pill.  And for a little while, it is a miracle for you.

Then you start to feel a little bit better, but you don’t stop taking the pills.  Why?  Because they make you feel good.  They take the edge off, they help you cope, and they are almost your best friends.  Without even really knowing it, you have become dependent on those pills to help you get through the day.

More and more people are finding themselves becoming addicted to prescription drugs.  This is because the new prescription drugs we have on the market are so much more powerful than any others we’ve had, people begin to like and get used to the effect these drugs have on them and their mindset.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise and before they really become aware, addiction has set in.  It’s a serious problem that can lead to other types of drug abuse and needs to be addressed early in the stages of addiction.

The first step that needs to be taken is to acknowledge that there might be a problem with your prescription drug use.  Many people begin to “doctor hop” to get their prescriptions filled.  I know of one woman who actually had a day planner that listed her various doctor appointments along with what prescription medications they would prescribe for her.

Prescription drug abuse is just as serious as heroin drug addiction or alcoholism.  The recovery period is just a little bit longer because you started taking the pills to combat pain in the first place.

Addiction can happen in an instant, believe it or not!  When you can face the problem head on, you can make yourself armed with the tools you need to fight it.  That includes getting as much information as you can about the health effects these drugs have on your body and what to expect when you stop using those drugs.

Prescription drug abuse and addiction is a very treatable condition.  The information to help you is out there.  All you have to do is look for it.  Talk to people, look in the phone book, check the Internet.  Your family deserves it, your friends deserve, but most of all – you deserve it!