Family/Couples Therapy at Banyan Chicago

At our drug rehab in Chicago, we understand that addiction is a disease that not only affects the user, but their friends and family as well. Watching a spouse or family member suffering with a substance abuse disorder can be heartbreaking. A person’s character and behavior towards their loved ones can change dramatically as a result of an active addiction, causing harm and straining relationships. While the individual recovers from substance abuse, their friends and family should also get help. Our family/couples therapy promotes healing within the family unit and amongst spouses, allowing addicts to make amends.

Family Roles in Addiction

Family dynamics can be significantly impacted by addiction, which frequently leads to the development of distinct roles performed by family members. Addiction family roles can be useful in creating order and controlling the mayhem brought on by this disease, but they can also be detrimental and serve to maintain addictive behavior.

The "enabler," who may provide money, drugs, or alcohol to the addict in order to encourage their substance use, may also cover up or ignore the addict's conduct. This role is typical in families affected by addiction. Another typical role is that of the "scapegoat," who, despite not being the source of the addiction, may be held responsible for the family's issues or the object of unfavorable feelings and actions. Other examples include the "hero," who tries to keep the family's image of normalcy through success and overachievement, and the "lost child," who may withdraw from the family and avoid confrontation.

It is crucial to understand that these roles are not set in stone and that family members may adopt different responsibilities at various points in time or switch between them depending on the circumstance. These roles, however, can be detrimental to both the individual and the family as a whole. Therefore, it's critical for families to seek support and assistance in overcoming these patterns.

How Our Family/Couples Therapy Works

Because addiction is a family disease, meaning it affects more than just the individual, it’s critical to have a strong support system for the loved ones of the addicted. Our specialized therapists meet with family members and the recovering addict to make sure all parties are on the same page when it comes to Illinois addiction treatment. We go over the patient’s customized treatment plan and how it was developed. The main goal of these therapy sessions is to guide family and spouses on the path to recovery and long-term happiness.

Our therapists encourage all parties to work through issues that have caused problems in the past, so they can move forward with a clean slate. We encourage loved ones of addicts to join our family or couples therapy program to address any problems or tension that are preventing healing.

During our therapy sessions, each member will have the opportunity to openly speak about the deep-rooted issues in their relationships with the addicted individual. Our staff members guide our patients, family members, and spouses through every step of this process, helping them identify ways to improve communication and rebuild trust.

Our family and couples therapy targets different aspects, including:

  • Learning what helps and what triggers pain
  • Respecting the needs of each individual
  • Creating healthy boundaries
  • Identifying ways to effectively interact through healthy behaviors
  • Building communication skills in the family unit or with a spouse
  • Understanding which roles to take on
  • Respecting the emotions of each member

Both family therapy and couples therapy are often incorporated into substance abuse treatment plans and have proven effective for adults struggling with addiction and the people in their lives. This type of therapy consists of various therapeutic approaches that use the addict’s and their loved ones’ strengths to guide them through an addiction-free life. We help to mend family or relationship conflicts that may occur as a result of substance abuse.

What Is the Goal of Family Couples Therapy?

The goal of Family Couples Therapy in the context of addiction treatment is to address and improve the dynamics within relationships affected by substance use disorders. This type of therapy recognizes that the impact of addiction extends beyond the individual struggling with substance abuse to their close relationships, particularly family and couples.

Key objectives of family and couples therapy include:

  • Communication Improvement:
    • Enhance communication skills within the family or couple to foster understanding and empathy.
    • Establish healthy channels for expressing thoughts and feelings related to the addiction.
  • Education:
    • Provide education about addiction, its effects, and the recovery process to family members or partners.
    • Increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by the individual in recovery.
  • Setting Boundaries:
    • Help family members or partners establish and maintain appropriate boundaries.
    • Define healthy limits that support recovery and prevent enabling behaviors.
  • Support System Strengthening:
    • Build a supportive network around the individual in recovery, involving family and/or partners in the treatment process.
    • Foster an environment that encourages ongoing support for sustained recovery.
  • Resolving Conflicts:
    • Address and resolve conflicts that may have arisen due to the impact of addiction.
    • Teach conflict resolution skills to facilitate healthier interactions.
  • Promoting Emotional Healing:
    • Support emotional healing for both the individual in recovery and their family or partner.
    • Encourage forgiveness, rebuilding trust, and fostering a positive emotional environment.

By working collaboratively with families and couples, this therapy aims to create a conducive and supportive atmosphere for the recovery process, contributing to the overall well-being of both the individual in treatment and their close relationships.

Choose Our Family and Couples Therapy Program

In a relationship or family unit involving a drug addict or alcoholic, disruptions are common. In a family, each person affects the other, and everyone leans on each other for support. In a relationship, spouses work as one and often rely on each other for love and support. Active addiction can dismantle even the strongest foundations. That’s why it’s important to understand that when one person suffers from substance abuse, everyone close to them in the system is affected. Our therapy for loved ones of addicts helps to repair damaged relationships and teaches each party healthy coping skills needed to move forward.

Additional Support for Families of Addicts

While an addict’s loved ones may feel the impact of their substance abuse, the individual themselves may be in denial of their addiction. Recovery begins with identifying the problem. If you’re struggling to get your loved one addiction help, our Chicago addiction treatment center offers intervention services that can help you safely and effectively intervene in the addiction of your family members. Interventions are meetings where the addict’s loved ones can share how they’ve been affected by the addiction and their concerns. Holding this meeting for a loved one can open their eyes and motivate them to get the help they need.

At Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago, we offer effective family and couples therapy sessions to help families and spouses of addicts during the recovery process. If you are battling substance abuse, it’s never too late to make amends and change your life. Help is one phone call away. Contact us today for more information about our facility and addiction programs.

Related Reading

Helping a Loved One Adjust to Life After Rehab

Benefits of Family Therapy in Addiction

At Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago, we offer effective family and couples therapy sessions to help family and spouses of addicts during the recovery process. If you are battling substance abuse, it’s never too late to make amends and change your life. Help is one phone call away. Contact us today for more information about our facility and addiction programs.

 

 

Most Insurance Plans Accepted

At Banyan Chicago our goal is to make sure that anyone who needs treatment from drug and alcohol addiction are able to get the help needed to assist them on the road to recovery. If you don't have insurance contact us to inquire about alternate methods regarding treatment for yourself or a loved one.

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