FAMILY SUPPORT
Family Help and Family Treatment for a Family Addiction
Often in addiction treatment, the issue of family support is forgotten about. Whilst the focus of everyone’s efforts is on helping the addict deal with their situation, the loved ones, the families and friends of addicts are left to deal with the damage that remains when the addict has accessed treatment. Family help at this time is one of the most important yet often neglected parts of treating an addiction, it really is a family disease, a family addiction, because it affects absolutely everyone who is close. We make it a priority to not forget about our clients families and those who are directly affected by a persons addiction and behaviours. That's why, at CapeRecovery, when treating the addict we consider family treatment, what do they require? The feeling that the addict is getting all of the attention and love when their behaviour has been so bad can often lead to growing resentments even when you as a family member or friend genuinely care and want to help. This is totally understandable and it is a very common reaction once the addict is safely in treatment and the drama of their addiction is gone. The most important thing to remember, and something that the addict can only come to realise in their own time, is that they are accountable for the things that they’ve said and done and will make amends in time, but during active addiction they were acting that way because they were unwell and it’s important to try as hard as possible not to take it too personally. During the process of rehabilitation and recovery you will be given the opportunity to express how you feel fully and how you’ve been affected, in a controlled and safe environment. All our centres take the family support very seriously and see it as an integral part of an addicts and indeed a families, recovery. At CapeRecovery we support the families separately from the patient so you always have an independent, listening ear should you require it whilst your loved one is in treatment. Feel free to e-mail me direct if you have any questions.
Here’s some tips that I’ve come up with to help during this difficult time:
- Try to accept the reality of the situation. Don’t be in denial. Try to take a step back and see that the person has an illness and some action must be taken but don’t bury your head in the sand. Family help requires being kind to yourselves as well as to the addict.
- Try your hardest not to rescue. The substance or addiction is almost always using all the financial resources that the addict has and then some. Don’t keep on handing over money for things that may be made up (bills, loans, groceries etc.). If you have to, then buy the things yourself but the person must be aware that you are not just there to continue funding their addiction.
- Don’t believe the promises they make and don’t make threats that you are unwilling to carry through with. The addict is suffering from a disease and as such will do anything to get you off their back so promises to stop or to pay back the money etc, cannot usually be taken at face value. If you say you’re going to withdraw support after a period of time then withdraw support. It sounds harsh but often it is the only way an addict will face up to the affect that their disease is having on those around them.
- Addiction is a family disease, any addiction is a family addiction. Don’t let it take over normal family routine and everyone else’s life. Keep your own life calm and as happy as you can and try to distance this from the addicts. It doesn’t mean you don’t care, just that you need to protect yourself and others around.
- Educate yourself about the disease of addiction, this will arm you with all the knowledge you need and enable you to help the addict get proper help. With our family treatment programs we support the family and close friends of the addict too.
the cAPErECOVERY experience
|
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES |
If you are looking for a rehab and recovery package for your family member, at CapeRecovery we offer three month and six month packages at the lowest possible local prices, often a tenth of the price of overseas private rehab. The packages cater for all addictions, process addictions, dual-diagnosis issues and eating disorders and include everything from Primary Rehab, Extended Care Rehab and Sober Living along with activities and volunteering opportunities available in order for our clients to get the most out of early recovery, before returning home. We tailor each package to the individual clients requirements.
|
When someone has completed their Rehab Treatment with us, then they can begin to get out and do new things. An integral part pf recovery is what the person does after the initial treatment period and that is why we include options for safari trips, activities such as yoga and surfing and social events with the recovery community in Cape Town. Another thing that we do is encourage all our clients, particularly those from overseas to get involved with our many local volunteering opportunities and charity initiatives. This is of course very important in a country like South Africa but also, there is so much to be gained in recovery through helping others and it is this principle that makes volunteering with our charitable partner organisation as a part of the CapeRecovery Experience, work so perfectly.
|
Do check out the exclusive rehab and recovery experiences that we have on offer, we focus on living clean and we support the family at pre-assessment as well as the whole process whilst the client is in primary, secondary, tertiary rehab, continued care and sober living. We have the full list of rehabs, specialist clinics and treatment centres so we can make a plan to provide fully individualised and effective treatment for all addictions (drugs and alcohol), process addictions (Sex, Love, Porn, Gaming, Gambling, etc), dual-diagnosis issues (including depression) and all eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, food addiction and others). The best bit comes after rehab when the client learns to live and enjoy life again and we have many opportunities to mix with he vast and encouraging recovery community and also some incredible volunteering opportunities here with our partners and friends at African Sunrise. This is the only place that provides fully individualised rehab and recovery experiences with choice and lowest local prices possible at every turn!
|
|