Addiction doesn’t just affect the individual going through it. They also have a network of close friends and family members who are susceptible to anxiety, depression, and stress regarding their loved one’s condition. It’s not uncommon for people to distance themselves from friends and family when they’re going through addiction, but seeking professional treatment can help change that.
Of course, your health and treatment come first. However, it would be best if you also accounted for your family members’ feelings, as your behavior and choices will be responsible for any ongoing psychological issues they may encounter. It may be time to find a substance abuse treatment center in Denver, Colorado. Consider the benefits of rehab and family relationships improving because of professional help, and call 303-268-2144 today.
What Happens to Young Children of People Struggling with Addiction?
Based on recent studies, as many as one in every eight children will grow up in a home with at least one parent struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD). As one might expect, the trauma of watching a parent go through addiction and all that entails leaves a lasting mark on a child’s psychology.
Children are still developing, which means the trauma of addiction may shape how their brains and emotions develop throughout puberty and their teenage years. It’s also important to know that children who grow up in homes with parents struggling with addiction are more likely to be the victims of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
While it’s impossible to completely shield a child from the effects of their parent’s addiction, getting help for addiction can mitigate the damage. Studies have shown that children of parents in recovery are less likely to develop substance abuse issues themselves. This low likelihood is why a focus on improving family relationships and rehab go hand in hand.
What Happens to a Family That Includes Teenagers Struggling with Addiction?
It’s not always parents who are struggling with SUDs. Often, underage drinking and experimenting with drugs can lead teenagers down the path of addiction. Some individuals between the ages of 12 and 20 drink alcohol regularly, which then sets up damaging habits with lasting effects. Furthermore, cannabis use is more likely than cigarette smoking at this age. Drugs or alcohol use at this age can:
- Disrupt the sleep cycle
- Cause depression
- Damage brain cells
A closer look at family relationships and rehab therapy sessions can make it easier for parents and teenagers to handle the presence of addiction in their homes. It can be challenging for parents and guardians to watch their teenagers go through SUDs, and many tend to feel helpless. This situation can become even more dangerous when a child enters college and is prone to binge use of addictive substances. Again, getting teenagers into rehab and improving family relationships tend to go together.
How Do You Re-Establish Family Connections After Addiction?
The first step is to get help for addiction. The next step is to begin rebuilding trust with family members. It takes time, patience, and effort, but it’s possible to rebuild the relationships that addiction tore apart. To do this, it’s essential to:
- Acknowledge the pain that addiction has caused
- Accept responsibility for the choices that led to addiction
- Commit to sobriety
It’s also important to give family members time to heal. Sometimes, it may be necessary to seek professional help to reconcile with family members. The goal is to rebuild relationships based on trust, communication, and love.
Re-establishing relationships is a vital part of recovery. In rehab, interventions set clients up for a lifetime of sobriety, which means all facets of their life need to be accounted for and mended. These facets include personal and familial relationships. Whether it’s their children, parents, or friends, everyone hurts during someone’s time spent in active addiction.
Rehab can help heal the damage that addiction has caused to family relationships. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to seek help. Centers offering addiction rehab and their clients’ families must work together to provide adequate support for a lifetime of addiction recovery.
Learn About Mile High Recovery Center’s Rehab Options
At Mile High Recovery Center, working on family relationships and rehab interventions are part of customized addiction treatment programs. Our staff provides the best possible care you can find when it comes to addiction and treatment. Mile High Recovery Center covers all aspects of a client’s life and will help you mend relationships so that you can go forward on the best possible foot in your life of sobriety. Call 303-268-2144 to speak to a member of our team who can help you overcome addiction.
