You may be feeling hesitant to open up to your family about your addiction treatment. Although this feeling is common, it is important for you to open up about addiction treatment to your loved ones. Doing so may provide you with the emotional support needed to succeed and potentially expand your support network. Although it may feel challenging to be forthcoming about your treatment plan, different strategies may help you effectively move forward with this decision. Participating in family therapy at Avalon Malibu can help your family improve communication, create a set of boundaries, and develop a stronger family bond that supports your lasting recovery.
Why Is It Hard to Open Up to Your Family About Addiction Treatment?
Prolonged addiction can destroy relationships. Feeling stigmatized may make you feel less likely to seek professional support. Maybe you fear judgment, unkind stereotypes, or hurtful stigmas, especially from certain family members. The thought that family members would never look at you the same way again may also feel daunting. You may also fear your family will only have a negative perspective on your decision to move forward with treatment.Â
Maybe your past addictive habits have already driven your family into great financial strife. You may not want to bring attention to addiction treatment due to the extensive cost requirement. The idea of leaving family members behind may also play a major role in your desire to keep your treatment a secret. You may want to prevent enduring further guilt and shame for taking time away from your loved ones.Â
The Importance of Opening up About Addiction Treatment to Your Family
You are not the only one who may be experiencing great hesitancy to reach out to your family. Although fear of letting family members down, receiving hurtful judgments, and many other reasons may be keeping you from opening up to your loved ones about your addiction treatment, opening up to your family may work to heal certain wounds.Â
Due to a lack of understanding surrounding addiction, you may feel compelled to blame yourself or your loved ones. However, addiction is a disease, and it takes working together to truly learn about and confront the challenges of addiction. Informing family members of your condition may help your family develop a better understanding of your condition. Involving family members in your treatment progress may also help each family member understand where they may have gone wrong. Becoming more involved may help each family member integrate healthier behaviors that aid in your treatment progress.Â
Strategies to Help You Open Up About Addiction Treatment to Your Family
Knowing that opening up to family about your addiction treatment may not be the easiest process, practicing some different strategies can help you break ground with each family member. It is important to understand that not every family member is going to agree with your decision to proceed with professional care. You may feel it is hard to put your feelings into words. Take comfort in knowing that although some family members may not be supportive, it is still important to stick to your personal decision.Â
Certain tips to help you stand your ground include:Â
- Organizing your thoughts ahead of time
- Writing down your feelings before discussing your next step
- Stating the potential benefits that can come from treatment
- Sharing why you feel addiction treatment is important to you
- Choosing the right place and time to come out about your goals
- Preparing to listen to your family members’ responses
- Staying honest when expressing your feelings about addiction treatment
- Telling family members how they can help in the process
- Ensuring you stay patient before reacting to their responses
- Learning to stay calm regardless of how family members feel about your decision
Benefits You May Gain From Participating in Family Therapy at Avalon Malibu
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), although every family is different, all families share a bond that can be utilized to support family members during hardships. Addiction not only negatively affects the individual with substance use disorder (SUD) but their surroundings as well. Research indicates that family support plays a critical role in helping loved ones cope with SUD and mental health challenges.Â
Therefore, attending family therapy together can provide several benefits to your family. This is a type of intervention that involves multiple participants within the same environment. Each family member can exchange different feelings, challenges, and hopes with each family member with the support of a trained therapist. Family therapy can provide the encouragement needed to effectively move forward from the negative effects of addiction. Further advantages of participating in family therapy at Avalon Malibu include:Â
- Conflict resolution
- Improved communicationÂ
- Better relationships
- Relapse prevention
- Firmer boundaries
- Positive behavior changes
- Additional support
- Enhanced coping mechanisms
- Renewed trust
Family therapy is one of the most well-studied and effective therapeutic interventions for families and spouses dealing with a number of issues. In the addiction treatment process, family therapy has been shown to consistently improve both individual and family functioning. Avalon Malibu understands that compassion and empathy are vital. Additionally, family healing requires strong listening, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills. Our therapists will work to help you and your family cultivate this skillset and work to improve your ability to trust each other while creating a safe space for sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings as part of the healing process. Call Avalon Malibu at (844) 857-5992 to confidently open up about addiction treatment to your family.
