Addiction is a disease that affects more than one person in the process. There is no guideline for who battles addiction; sometimes, those people have children, a partner, or other family and friends they care for. It is essential in recovery to maintain healthy relationships and ensure that new connections that are made do not offset the progress that has been made.
How Addiction Affects Relationships
It is no secret that addiction can take a toll on the relationships in one’s life. Addiction can make it difficult to maintain trust and can affect communication. It can be damaging to relationships because an addict may participate in risky behaviors that jeopardize their trustworthiness. Addiction can make it feel like your life revolves around a substance, and everything else might be put on the back burner because of that. Here are some other ways that addiction can negatively affect a relationship.
Financially
A person who battles addiction can feel like they constantly need the drug. Whether it is drugs or alcohol, addiction can become expensive. A person in active addiction might feel like they cannot function without the drug. Therefore, they find ways to pay, even if they have to steal from loved ones to fund their addiction. In addition, addiction can lead to more significant financial conflicts in one’s personal life. If neglected, financial struggles can lead to the following:
- Unpaid legal and medical debts
- Missed payments
- Late fees
- Foreclosure of property
Emotionally
Addiction can cause family and friends to feel resentful toward the person who is battling a substance use disorder. Understanding the addiction may help family and friends feel less betrayed or abandoned during this time. If the person battling addiction has children, it can leave the child feeling confused and can impact their relationship in the long run.
The effects of addiction can be short-term or long-term. Communication can become more difficult, people can become more guarded, and at the end of the day, more than one life is impacted. When one member of the family struggles with addiction, other people in the family can be overwhelmed by the following things:
- Strained relationships
- Poor school or work performance
- Financial hardships
- The side effects of substance abuse
- The sight of withdrawal
How To Maintain Healthy Relationships in Rehab
Substance abuse disorders can negatively impact family members. People can find it challenging to speak to their loved ones without feeling shame or embarrassment. However, with consistency, it can become easier to face your family. Inpatient rehab will often allow family members to visit. Not only do they have the opportunity to see their loved one, but they can also receive counseling and be allowed family therapy sessions. Healthy relationships in rehab require effort from all parties. Some things that are worked on to rebuild strong emotional connections include the following:
- Respect
- Trust and support mutually
- Support and encouragement
- Safety and Security
- Healthy boundaries
Rebuilding relationships after hardships will have its challenges. Healthy relationships are paramount in healing from substance addiction. It will be beneficial during an inpatient stay as well as after. Healthy relationships can make the transition back to your life significantly easier.
Why Family is Important During Recovery
A healthy and supportive home is vital for someone who is going through recovery. Substance abuse can bring about both negative and positive responses. Having people at home who are encouraging and make you feel safe can be a motivating factor in staying sober. It can also be beneficial in reducing the risk of relapse after returning home. Here are some more positive benefits of family involvement during recovery.
Education
An involved family can become educated on the topic of addiction so that they can better understand you and what you are going through. They will learn about the causes of addiction, triggers, and how to support someone in recovery. They will also learn how to heal themselves so they can be a part of a sound support system when you return home.
Therapy
Through family counseling, you and your family will be able to unpack and address the pain that may have occurred during this time. You and your family will be able to be guided through tough conversations and come to healthy conclusions.
Making New Friends During Recovery
One of the things that will be most important in the recovery process is building relationships that do not hinder your recovery. It can be hard to remember a time when your life was not dominated by drugs or alcohol. Perhaps something that contributed to your drug use was going out with your friends often. However, those relationships will no longer serve you in your recovery. You will need to surround yourself with people who serve as positive role models and influence your sobriety.
It can be difficult to meet new friends who understand what you are going through. Here are a few ways that you can connect with new people during your recovery.
Support Groups
Support groups are packed with people who have similar experiences and stories to yours. Having the help of a support group can also help keep you accountable in your recovery. People working through substance abuse often find it helpful to connect with groups such as alcoholics anonymous (AA) or narcotics anonymous (NA) to find a group of friends who are healthy for recovery.
Hobbies
The time that you would otherwise spend drinking or doing drugs can be filled with hobbies. These could be hobbies that you had before or new ones. You can join local clubs, gyms or even volunteer in your community. Here, you can meet new people and fill your time with healthy new habits.
Let Our Los Angeles, CA Professionals Help
At The Encino Detox Center, we understand how difficult it can be to have a family while in addiction recovery. For this reason, we remain by your side every step of the process to ensure you have the best support, and we teach you how to navigate relationships during recovery. Contact our team now to verify your insurance and get started.
