The Road to Recovery Starts with Family
Jaime (name changed) was only 14 years old when she had her first cigarette. The curiosity to try marijuana came next, and by the time she was 15, she was drinking mouthwash to get drunk from the alcohol inside of it. “Looking back, I should have known and seen the signs. I would stop smoking pot and drinking during my sports season but would start back up at it when the season was over. However, in my senior year, I couldn’t stop; I didn’t even want to try.”
By the time Jaime turned 20, she was experiencing drug-fueled psychosis and realized that her addiction to drugs and alcohol had taken over her life. The substances she used to feel good were now destroying her life.
It was time to radically change if she wanted to see her next birthday.
Deciding to recover from addiction is a profoundly challenging and courageous step for individuals entrenched in substance use disorders. The journey is full of obstacles, including intense cravings, psychological dependence and the fear of facing an uncertain future without substances they have grown to rely on. The decision to seek help involves confronting not only the immediate pain of withdrawal and the discomfort of change, but also the underlying issues that may have fueled their addiction, such as trauma or mental health disorders. It requires both immense inner strength and vulnerability as individuals grapple with feelings of guilt, shame and self-doubt while navigating a path to healing. This monumental choice signifies a pivotal moment of hope and determination as individuals commit to breaking free from the chains of addiction and striving towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.
September is National Recovery Month —a time dedicated to celebrating the journey these individuals take to overcome substance abuse. While a difficult journey for many, this month serves as a beacon of hope. By sharing the stories of those who have overcome, and illuminating the profound impact that love and support can have in the struggle against addiction, those who are still working can see a light at the end of the tunnel. This battle is made more bearable with the loving support of friends and family.
Ingredients for Recovery
Real Life Counseling Therapist, Christina Gjesvold, understands the grip that addiction can have over not only the person going through it but the whole family. Gjesvold’s career started in substance abuse, working an internship at a drug and alcohol facility. She fell in love with the work and went on to work with all ages on a range of different mental health concerns, including drug and alcohol addiction. In her work, she discovered how crucial the family’s participation in the recovery process is for the individual experiencing addition.
“[A family] is like making a batch of cookies. You need the flour, the butter, the chocolate chips and the sugar; the cookies need all the ingredients. When you have a family member who has an addiction, you are missing one of the ingredients. Then, other individuals in the family system start to overcompensate and become unhealthy.” Depression and anxiety can quickly affect the family of addicted individuals, with everyone in the household becoming dysregulated.
But there is always hope.
Families play an important role in encouraging individuals to seek and stick with treatment. One of the most significant ways families aid in recovery is through emotional support, creating a catalyst for change. This support usually means strengthening during the darkest moments, offering a listening ear and providing unconditional love. Research underscores the critical role of emotional support in recovery. A study published in The Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment reveals that patients who feel emotionally supported by their families are more likely to stay in treatment and achieve better outcomes.
Gjesvold says it might be daunting to get started, but she encourages families to start these therapeutic conversations. “I would encourage [families] to sit down, have an intervention, or encourage couple counseling to talk about these topics or get a mediator to help express their concerns to the person.”
The most important thing is to be a source of strength and support for the person, urges Gjesvold. Families hoping to get a loved one to see the need for recovery should identify their own unhealthy patterns and try to heal their own issues, as well as attend to their addicted family member. Addiction is a family problem, not just an individual problem.
Family Involvement
Having experienced addiction, Jaime remembers an entire network of people rallying together to support her recovery. “My husband and his family are all in recovery, so we get to celebrate our milestones together. We’ve made a great recovery group, and just having someone in recovery around you makes the triggers not so bad.”
Gjesvold recalls a client who struggled with their recovery. They were relapsing and exhibiting problematic behaviors at home and at school. All aspects of their life were being affected due to their addiction. Gjesvold was able to bring the entire family in for therapy. Assignments for all members were handed out, the family began to communicate and a contract was signed covering each member’s new roles and duties. The results were that the addicted person began to work with their family who helped them to achieve the results they were hoping for. They continued their treatment until they were eventually discharged from therapy, “The family unit was fully restored psychologically, socially and emotionally,” shares Gjesvold.
Andrea Brooks, president and CEO for Lifeline Connections, has seen her share of success stories due to families’ involvement with recovery. “I encounter people who have a loved one, whether it’s a family member or a close friend, who at one point went through Lifeline, and it left such an impact on their life that they’re talking about it. Everyone is eager to share their positive experiences. I met a woman who talked about reuniting with her children and meeting her grandchildren. What an incredible experience that was.”
For Brooks, these types of encounters are emotional victories. She knew early on she wanted to become a social worker in the addiction recovery sector. After working in Philadelphia for more than a decade, Brooks sought out a nonprofit that provided the community with the highest-quality, evidence-based care. That’s when she discovered Lifeline Connections, an organization that inspires hope and supports life-saving changes for individuals affected by substance use and mental health conditions.
A predictor of recovery success for an addicted person lies in the support of others (and in groups like Lifeline Connections), but what a lot of families do not realize is that the family members need just as much support.
“I recommend Al-Anon [Alcoholics Anonymous] groups to family members who are impacted by another family member’s substance use so that they can take care of themselves,” says Brooks. “I also encourage them to talk about their experience. Stigma is still so prevalent in our culture, and we need more and more families talking about how recovery is possible.”
Seeking Help: “Just do it”
Organizations like Lifeline Connections and family support can make a difference in a family member getting the help they need. But the crucial first step for anyone suffering from addiction and their family is to first ask for help. Speaking out serves as a vital first action in the journey toward recovery. Acknowledging the need for assistance and reaching out for support not only provides access to critical resources and treatment options but also begins to dismantle the barriers of isolation and stigma that often accompany addiction. By voicing their struggles, individuals open the door to compassionate support from professionals, family and peer networks, all of whom can offer guidance, encouragement and practical tools for overcoming addiction. Seeking help also empowers individuals to take control of their recovery journey, which is courageous and a critical step towards reclaiming one’s life and health.
“Just do it,” says Jaime. “Show up to that meeting, high or drunk, and introduce yourself. Even if you aren’t ready now, someday you will be. Get a sponsor who has a sponsor who has a sponsor. Work the steps. I don’t know how the steps work, but man, do they work! I’ve gotten everything I’ve ever prayed for and then some!”
“The more we can talk about it and the more we can speak up, the more we can help others,” says Brooks. “We can be a resource for other families and let people know that they’re not alone and don’t have to suffer in silence, that resources are available. If we knew somebody had diabetes or had heart trouble, we wouldn’t be OK with them going without their medication or missing an appointment. We wouldn’t want them to ignore their physical health needs, so, we don’t want someone that we care about to ignore their mental health needs either. We emphasize that behavioral health is just as important as physical health.”
“We are human,” says Jaime. “No one is immune to it. I’ve known people that lose everything because a bad accident leads to a pain pill addiction. The world is so quick to judge, not realizing everyone is just a step away from being what they’re judging. At the end of the day, everyone deserves love and compassion.”
Seeking help is a courageous step toward recovery. Many resources and people are ready to support you and your loved one through this challenging time.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, professionals and resources are standing by that can provide the support and guidance needed for recovery.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA offers a national helpline (1-800-662-HELP) that provides confidential, accessible information and resources 24/7. They can assist with finding treatment facilities, support groups, or other resources.
- Local Addiction Treatment and Behavioral Health Centers: Organizations like Lifeline Connections (lifelineconnections.org) or counseling services like Real Life Counseling (reallifecounseling.us) can provide immediate help and information on available programs, including detoxification, rehabilitation and therapy services. Many centers offer assessments and can guide you through starting treatment.
- Healthcare Providers: Reaching out to a primary care physician or mental health professional can be an excellent first step. They can offer referrals to addiction specialists and treatment programs and comprehensively evaluate your health.
- Support Groups: Organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and other 12-step or non-12-step groups offer peer support and meetings where individuals can share experiences and receive encouragement. Many of these groups also provide online and phone meeting options.
- Crisis Hotlines: In cases of immediate crisis or emergency, hotlines such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) or emergency services (911) can offer urgent support and connect you with necessary resources.
- Family and Friends: Reaching out to family members or friends can provide encouragement and support. They can also help you explore treatment options and offer practical support during recovery.
Source: https://vancouverfamilymagazine.com/road-to-recovery/
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