A teen’s substance abuse problem affects everyone in the family. Coping with the emotional and mental upheaval caused by substance abuse presents an additional challenge to the entire household. The family’s involvement, however, makes a considerable difference in a teen’s treatment. Therefore, family therapy is the cornerstone of a teen’s successful, sustained recovery from substance abuse.
Healing for the whole family
During and after a teen’s treatment, the rest of the family usually needs support and guidance. Furthermore, each family member will have substance abuse related issues and concerns to address, such as feelings of guilt, anger, or betrayal. These issues, too, affect the entire family.
A central goal of family therapy is to explore and resolve each family member’s issues. By accomplishing this task, families are better able to support one another, along with the teen in treatment. Because family support generally improves each member’s overall health and sense of well being, family therapy promotes emotional, mental, and physical healing.
A higher success rate
Teens whose families participate in treatment experience a higher rate of successful treatment, and are less likely to relapse. During family therapy, a counselor educates the family about relationships and communication styles that can foster substance abuse. A family might practice new communication skills or explore their strengths and resources.
All these activities enable the family to make conscious, educated choices about how to interact during and after the teen’s treatment. When family therapy is integrated into a teen’s treatment, the family is more prepared to support that teen’s continued recovery. Because they will have discussed and practiced the same communication and problem-solving strategies that the teen has learned in treatment, family members can work together for continued healing and growth.
Improved communication
Within the neutral forum of family therapy, each person has the opportunity to express concerns and emotions. The therapist can act as a moderator and facilitator, ensuring that all voices are heard, acknowledged, and validated. Family members can also learn and practice effective methods of communication for different situations. By supplementing their “communication toolbox,” families prepare themselves to navigate difficult situations together.
Families can also use communication as a tool to shift power back to parental figures. In cases of teen substance abuse, the substance abuse often dominates the family dynamic. With therapy, families can identify this dynamic and work through it, restoring balance through honest, open communication.
Family therapy plays an indispensable role in the recovery of teens who struggle with substance abuse. When a teen’s entire family seeks help, the whole family can heal through communication and problem solving. Furthermore, teens who recover from substance abuse are more likely to maintain sobriety when their families also get therapy. The communication tools and practice emphasized by family therapists support emotional, mental, and physical health.
The information is provided for general reference purposes. It does not constitute medical or other professional advice and should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician.
