We Need Addiction Support Networks for Families

“Recovery is an on-going process both for the addict and his or her family. In recovery there is hope and hope is a wonderful thing.”

Dean Dauphinais

Recovery Starts at Home

When your loved one has a substance use disorder, it has an impact on you too! You may find that yourself experiencing any of the following difficulties:

Physical health and self-care
Relationship with that person and others may suffer
Thinking and reasoning may be clouded
Feelings, mood and emotions change
Work or school life may be suffer
Spiritual or life values may feel out of balance

Recognizing and acknowledging how you’re impacted is a very important first step. Next, it’s finding healing in those areas—the same kind of healing you want your loved one to receive.

Recovery Networks For Children

We are always deeply influenced by the people who raise us. These influences include not only the genes inherited from biological parents, but also the behaviors, habits, values, and communication styles that we learn from our adult caregivers. This same pattern applies to the way we use alcohol or drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 25 % of American kids grow up in households where substance abuse is present. In homes where one or more adults abuse alcohol or drugs, children are approximately twice as likely to develop addictive disorders themselves, according to Current Drug Abuse Reviews. These children are also more likely to experience:

Poor performance in school
Emotional and behavioral problems
Low self-esteem
A higher risk of physical, verbal, or sexual abuse
A higher risk of developing anxiety or depression
Earlier onset of experimentation with drugs or alcohol
A greater chance of becoming addicted once they start using drugs or alcohol

Benefits of a Recovery Network For Children and Teens

Reducing Isolation and Fear

This can be the result of depression and being forced to keep secrets for parents who are addicted. Sometimes, it’s easier to just avoid others than to risk the consequences of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person.

Find Their Own Identity

Not feeling that they are getting adequate support at home in childhood may lead to an ongoing need for praise from others in adulthood. It may even become more important to be liked than to be authentic to oneself.

Help Them Find Their Voice

They may feel the need to give in to make others happy and may not feel they deserve to have their own needs met. They may be unable to feel or express the feelings because they are too painful.

Learn Normal Family Behaviors

Without the opportunity to experience normalcy in childhood, they may develop unrealistic expectations and standards or view poor decision making and the resulting outcomes as typical adult behavior.

Create a Safe Place for Them to Express Themselves

Feelings of uncertainty can leave them remembering chaotic situations from childhood and cause them to feel unsafe.

Reduce Impulsive Behaviors

After repeatedly experiencing that they may not get another chance to get their needs met if they do not act immediately, a child of addicted parents may leap on any opportunity for instant gratification.

Benefits of a Recovery Network For Families

Recognizing and acknowledging how you’re impacted is a very important first step. Next, it’s finding healing in those areas—the same kind of healing you want your loved one to receive.

Access to Professional Support

Professionals can help in developing a plan that details small personal goals specifically related to physical and mental health, education, and interpersonal relationships.

Connections to Other Families

Using a Recovery Network allow you to meet families with similar experiences. The support of peers and social networks can help keep families engaged and supported.

Improving Understanding

Recovery Networks can help family members understand addiction and how it affects them, as well as what to expect during treatment and recovery. Family members can also gain a broader perspective and better understand each other’s perspectives.

Promoting Positive Change

Recovery Networks can help families make positive changes, such as improving communication and behavior patterns, and stopping enabling unhealthy behaviors. Family members can also learn to support each other and treat each other with respect.

Groups and Support

Local organizations that offer a wide array of opportunities to get involved and help develop community resources that address addiction and support recovery.

Reducing Risk of Relapse

Using a recovery network can help reduce the risk of relapse by increasing awareness of warning signs and helping families understand the importance of taking responsibility for their own well-being.

Lack of Resources for Families

Nearly 16.5% of the US population or over 46 million people suffer from substance abuse disorder

Of the 16.5% of the population that suffers from Substance Use Disorder, only 6% of those receive treatment.

There are nearly 16,066 Drug Treatment Facilities in the US.

As of 2021 there were 16,066 treatment programs available in the US for those suffering from substance use disorder.

There are currently less than 20 nationwide programs being offering support specifically for families and children.

Most family programs are offered as an add on to traditional treatment programs for the individual suffering. If the individual is not in treatment, services cannot be provided to families

How You Can Help

Whether you’re advocating for improved policy, leading efforts locally or helping raise funds to serve more communities, you can be a force for change

Tell your story
Volunteer
Donate
Create your own fundraiser
Speak to community leaders
Sign a petition
Help with drug education programs
Work with Harm Reduction programs
Provide clothing and supplies to recovery and transition facility
Run a support group

Join the support network of other families, children, and other advocates who are breaking down barriers and working to transform how our nation addresses addiction. You too can be part of the change!

Family Roles in Addiction

Works Cited

Klostermann, Keith, and Timothy J. O’Farrell. “Treating Substance Abuse: Partner and Family Approaches.” Social Work in Public Health, vol. 28, no. 3/4, May 2013. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.1080/19371918.2013.759014.

Travis Lupick. Light Up the Night : America’s Overdose Crisis and the Drug Users Fighting for Survival. The New Press, 2022. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=2732843&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Family therapy for addiction: Types & benefits (2024) Addiction Group. https://www.addictiongroup.org/treatment/family-therapy-addiction/ (Accessed: 15 July 2024).

Opioid Epidemic. Issues & Controversies, Infobase, 29 Nov. 2021, https://icof.infobase.com/articles/QXJ0aWNsZVRleHQ6MTY0NTc=?aid=14883.

“The Young Victims of America’s Opioid epidemic.” YouTube. (2016, December 16). https://youtu.be/N5e8juvBrp4?si=fjwOmQbDUgn_miiv

“Addicted.” YouTube . (2022, April 1) https://youtu.be/qJ-qX3yrxC0