Why Family Matters In Recovery

Kicking a drug or alcohol addiction is often the fight of an addict’s life. Having family in their

corner showing support and encouragement can often mean the difference between a successful

recovery and a relapse. Yellowstone Recovery Center, an Orange County treatment center,

realizes the important contribution family support can make to recovery and encourages

constructive family participation in their loved one’s rehabilitation.

All families are different, and the best approach to family involvement with treatment programs

will vary from client to client. Working with a counselor may help best determine to what extent

the family should be involved in treatment, and whether there are issues in the family that need

to be dealt with to increase the client’s chances of a successful recovery. Getting families

onboard is important, as many addicts seek treatment only after being confronted by family or

friends in an intervention.

Once an intervention has occurred, if all goes well, the addict will enter inpatient or outpatient

programs in Orange County treatment centers. In outpatient programs, there is a wide

opportunity for family involvement as patients are not separated from their families and travel to

attend classes. In inpatient programs, the addict will undergo a nearly month-long detox and

recovery program. Clients will not be able to leave the facility and contact with the outside world

will be limited, particularly during detox. Many facilities allow visits and interaction at some

point in the process, however.

Family involvement becomes particularly important once the addict is out of rehab and back in

society. Family can help encourage the addict to continue work in therapy programs. They can

also police themselves to ensure they are not enabling the addict. In many cases, family therapy

as well as drug treatment may be necessary to deal with all the issues contributing to an addict’s

dependency.

Part of Yellowstone Recovery Center’s efforts to incorporate family into recovery is a Sunday

Al-Anon group that family members can attend to support their loved one and begin healing the

damage addiction has caused the family as a whole.

With the help of family, addicts stand a better chance of a successful recovery and a chance to

live a happier, healthier life. Families can also benefit by taking advantage of the therapy

opportunities available at affordable treatment centers like Yellowstone Recovery in Orange

County.