Austin Family Program

The effects of addiction are felt by the entire family, not just the person afflicted with the substance use disorder. Additionally, the family impacts how and why the addiction develops, the trajectory of the addiction, and the addiction recovery process. At The Prairie Recovery Center, we understand the role of the family in addiction recovery. We have created a treatment program that focuses on family involvement.

Treatment outcomes are improved by family participation. In addition to providing all members of the family with the resources and support they need to recover individually, we offer family therapy, family support groups, and a family workshop. To learn more about our services or to learn more about our Austin family program, contact us today.

Addiction and the Family

Addiction is widely recognized as a “family disease.” All members of the family are impacted in some way by the presence of substance use in the home. Maybe parents are worried about their child overdosing or getting into serious trouble while under the influence.

A child may have to fill the caretaker role as they watch their parent struggle with alcoholism or drug addiction. Maybe the parent cannot string together more than a day or two of consistent sobriety and ends up losing their job as a result. There are many ways in which the family unit can be negatively impacted by addiction.

How the Family Is Impacted by Addiction

Active addiction impacts the family in a number of ways. Communicating clearly and intentionally becomes far more difficult. Family members seemingly butt heads constantly, yelling more frequently. Doors are slammed, tears are shed, and what was once a peaceful household has turned into an all-out warzone. Damaged family dynamics must be addressed in order for peace and harmony to be restored. Fortunately, reputable treatment centers frequently offer family programs.

An article published by Social Work in Public Health titled “The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families and Children: From Theory to Practice” states, “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances, including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated against him or her.”

Regardless of how a family is impacted by addiction, all members of the family must heal for long-term recovery to be achieved. At The Prairie Recovery Center, we provide the loved ones of our clients with the specialized attention they need to begin their own healing journeys during our family program in Austin. To learn more about addiction and the family, contact us today.

The Role of the Family in Addiction Recovery

What role does the family play in the addiction recovery process? Family members fill different roles, though they might remain unaware of how active addiction impacts them. For example, a family member might begin filling the role of the Enabler. They attempt to protect their addicted loved one from the consequences of his or her substance use. Unfortunately, continuously rescuing a person might prevent them from hitting a bottom that would facilitate necessary change.

Furthermore, the family plays many vital roles in the transitionary period between active addiction and recovery. Examples of how family members are instrumental to the recovery process include:

Intervening if a crisis is occurring. For example, if a person is at immediate risk of a life-threatening overdose, their family members might need to intervene in order to get them into treatment. This might look like staging a professional intervention.
Advocating for the needs of their loved one throughout the treatment process.
Helping their loved one stay the course once treatment concludes, helping to hold them accountable, and helping them stick to their personal aftercare plan.

Family Therapy

Clients and their loved ones participate in various evidence-based therapies in individual and family therapy settings. Licensed therapeutic professionals with combined decades of hands-on experience facilitate all therapeutic sessions.

Our therapeutic family program in Austin includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT helps clients and their family members develop new coping mechanisms, build healthy communication skills, and constructively work through dysfunction. DBT is an evidence-based therapy focused on self-regulation techniques and stress management strategies.

Our Austin Family Program

Substance use and mental illness impact not just the individual struggling but their loved ones as well. Given that the recovery process is closely tied to the family system, we believe involving the whole family in the healing process is essential. A weekly, 2-hour support group for family members is included with treatment, along with weekly family or couples therapy and a monthly intensive workshop for families that takes place over a designated weekend.

We have developed an effective family program for our clients and their loved ones. At The Prairie Recovery Center, we believe the addiction recovery process should address every member of the family on an individual basis while working to heal the family unit as a whole. To learn more about how to enroll in our family program, visit our admissions page today.

Have additional questions? Learn more about addiction and treatment options on our FAQ page.

Contact The Prairie Recovery Center Today

At The Prairie Recovery Center, we help individuals overcome substance use disorders and mental health concerns of all types and severities. Our Austin family program focuses on an integrated and inclusive approach to comprehensive healing.

The family plays a vital role in the recovery process. Long-term recovery is possible for everyone, regardless of age or background. With the right tools in place, you or your loved one can successfully overcome addiction and go on to lead a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life in recovery.