Substance use is a serious issue affecting our society today. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), there have been over 700k deaths in the US alone since 2000 caused by this epidemic. Additionally, over 140k Americans die from alcohol abuse every year.

Therefore, it is crucial that if you are dependent on these substances, you have your loved ones around to help and support you. The last thing you want is to become part of the statistics or just another number on the NCDAS addiction statistics list.

Your family’s involvement in your recovery is a crucial component for you to be able to recover successfully. There are many reasons your loved ones should be there for you. This article will discuss the importance of having your family involved as you recover from substance use.

We have listed the best ones down below. Let’s get right into it.

1. Ongoing Support

Committing to recovery is a significant first step. However, keep in mind that the journey will not be smooth. You will have to explore your reasons for dependency on intoxicants. You will have to open up, be vulnerable, and discuss past negative experiences and traumas with your therapist. All of this can lead to uncomfortable conversations, which is why your family should be there for you. They will help motivate you to keep going when it gets tough, and it will get tough. You will also have to talk with your loved ones about the challenges you will face, future possibilities, and how you plan on dealing with them. These challenges can include:

• Relapse
• Legal troubles
• Financial struggles
• Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia, memory problems, concentration problems, mood problems)
• Challenges with finding employment

Despite your difficulties on your journey to sobriety, having your family present will encourage you not to give up. You and your family can partake in family programs for people who struggle with substances. Many facilities like Serenity At Summit provide excellent programs that allow family members to participate in the treatment and recovery process. These programs are efficient, as proven by research.

2. Mend Ties With Family

You’re not the only one affected by your dependency on intoxicants. It also takes a heavy toll on your loved ones, and it is essential to address their pain for your recovery. You may have acted irrationally, lied, or stolen money because you were not yourself when you were using substances.

In addition, your association with such substances may have landed you in legal and financial trouble. According to the National Library of Medicine, the impact of Substance Use Disorder affects each family member differently, including impaired attachment, emotional distress, economic hardships, developmental disabilities (in children), legal troubles, and sometimes even violence. Children who grow up in houses where substance use is common are also at risk of developing a dependency on intoxicants. All of these actions could negatively impact your family and cause them to feel great anger, grief, pain, and depression.

When you complete your recovery, you will need your family’s support to mitigate the chances of relapse. Although getting treatment for substance use is the first step in your recovery, it is not the only step. The truth is overcoming your dependency on intoxicants is a lifelong journey. It requires your family’s love, understanding, and support. Therefore, it is crucial that your family is present during your treatment and recovery to get the chance to make things right with them and have their support when you need it.

3. Fewer Chances of Relapse

Recovering from substance use is a complicated process with many aspects involved; even after the treatment ends, there is a chance of relapse. It will be a shame if you work so hard to recover, only to relapse again and again and become part of the statistics. It is why your family must be involved in your treatment and recovery process.

In addition, the goal of treatment is not just to break your dependency on substances but to make sure you do not relapse. To do that, your family must learn about the reasons for your dependency, its causes, triggers, and other relevant factors to ensure you stay on the path to recovery.

It is why family programs are essential. Family programs educate members on the reasons for your dependency to ensure you do not relapse. They can turn your family into a formidable resource to battle substance use after your treatment ends. Without accountability, you are more likely to fall into old habits and behavior, increasing the chance of relapse.

Conclusion

Recovering from substance use is by no means a straightforward process. Having your family present during the treatment and recovery process can give you motivation, hope, strength, and courage to keep going during tough times.

Your family’s support will be especially important after your treatment ends because that is when the real fight starts. Therefore, having your family around will give you the chance to mend ties with them and get them in your corner because you will need their support when your treatment ends.