Rehab for Substance Abusers and Their Families
is not a simple thought, and, there is no simple response. There needs to be clarity within the topic to support the most effective benefit for readers. In addition, to satisfy this need, our approach is perhaps wider and deeper than you will first think necessary.
This discussion requires foundational information explained long before the philosophical or even the practical discussion can move forward. Let us make it straightforward for the purposes of this discussion and limit the category of substance abusers to those abusing legal, as well as illegal substances, and reserve discussion of behavioral abusers for another discussion, though much dialogue crosses over categories. What population, then, could this rightfully encompass.
Abusers can be described as those who continue to use substances after that usage causes disruptions in major life areas. Those life areas are the essential ones, family; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health; employment, financial and other relationships. Therefore, could this suggest that once abuse is established, significant others have some type of a role in the abuse. Does this “why” address rehab for families.
Continuing to determine our definitions for this discussion, rehab, rehabilitation, can be an opportunity for re-aligning choices that support more healthful and sometimes, law-abiding, life choices and styles. Having the terms clarified, on to the discussion of rehab for substance abusers and their families.
Generally, substance abusers who choose to enter treatment with the goal of success in mind are those who are internally motivated to make changes. When the motivation is external, including the desire to keep a job, or to please family, rehab results are more disappointing. The primary reason can influence much that follows.
To move the discussion forward, assume ideal circumstances: the identified client, the primary abuser, is self-motivated for rehab and signs on. Regardless of the modality, outpatient, inpatient, individual or group treatment, short or long term. the client will be exposed to education, direction, and support to make thinking changes, as thoughts, feelings and attitudes drive behavior. Along with all of this, is the over-riding opportunity to be substance-free.
As the client progresses, makes changes and stays substance –free, where does family rehab fit in? While the client is experiencing the above, there can be the parallel process of family education and re-alignment. If the client is taking care of things. why is family rehab a consideration.
Has the client lived on an island or have they been interacting with real, live folks? Do you think that trying to relate to someone who is altering their consciousness with substances does not cause splashing onto those other people? Quite possibly, before the admission of the client to rehab, no one in their circles thought of needing “rehab” as well. Many times the reality of family members and significant others having taken on dysfunctional roles is ignored or downplayed. Yet, the cold fact is that in order to survive, not thrive, in a relationship/friendship with a substance abuser, role adaptations are made.
It does follow that new roles, ways of relating and communicating, setting, and honoring boundaries are vital for the significant other. It has been my professional position with both clients and families that their recovery is not dependent on that of the other, yet each can enhance the other. There can be the synergy of the parallel process in recovery.
Should all parties desire ultimate recovery, then the parallel process, that of positive and effective change of one part can influence positive and effective changes of the other part. The reality is, it is possible indeed, for both family and substance abusers to succeed in rehab.
