Summary: Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family, and healing together is the most effective path to lasting recovery. Yes, family therapy is essential because it addresses the communication breakdowns, damaged trust, and unhealthy dynamics that fuel the cycle of addiction. Studies show that positive family support is directly linked to long-term abstinence and significantly higher success rates.
At Align Recovery, healing together is at the heart of what we do. Our programs are built on the philosophy that addiction is a family disease. We integrate family therapy into our comprehensive treatment approach, offering weekly sessions and mediated conversations to help repair relationships, set healthy boundaries, and create a supportive environment where everyone in the family can begin to heal and align.
The importance of family therapy for addiction is proven to increase rates of abstinence and improve overall family functioning. Research shows that integrating family support reduces relapse rates significantly by addressing underlying communication issues and helping to break harmful generational patterns. At Align Recovery Centers, we integrate family therapy into our comprehensive treatment approach. As part of our residential program, clients engage in therapies designed to heal relational dynamics, ensuring the family unit becomes a core part of the recovery foundation. Call 1-707-760-7256 to learn how our programs help families heal together.
Align Recovery Centers is a leading choice for addiction treatment in Northern California. We combine evidence-based treatments with holistic practices, medically supervised detox, and other treatments to help clients achieve whole-person wellness. Family therapy has the potential to benefit both the person in addiction recovery and their loved ones. Whether you or your loved one is the person entering treatment, let’s talk about the importance of family therapy for addiction and how it can help.
The Importance of Family Therapy For Addiction
The importance of family therapy for addiction has been documented in research repeatedly since its inception in the 1950s. While it has many benefits, here are some of the common advantages we see.
Higher Rates of Abstinence and Recovery
First and foremost, research shows that positive social or familial support is linked to higher rates of abstinence and recovery. Family therapy can help loved ones support a person in their recovery process effectively.
Improved Family Functioning
Improved family function is often one of the main goals clients have when they come to family therapy sessions. For example, a therapist might help family members better understand one another, learn and use healthy communication skills, or work through conflicts.
Breaking Generational Patterns
People with a family history of substance abuse are more likely to have substance use disorders themselves. When this is the case, family therapy for addiction can aid in breaking generational patterns. You can build an environment where substance use is not encouraged or normalized within your family.
The Family Program at Align Recovery
The family program at Align Recovery includes a weekly Zoom meeting, which occurs on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM for Family Dynamics. We encourage mediated therapy sessions with family members, assuming all wish to participate. These sessions can include immediate and extended family members.
What to Expect When a Family Member Goes to Addiction Treatment
If you are reading this, you might wonder what to expect when a family member goes to addiction treatment. As part of our commitment to personalized, integrated addiction treatment, we offer multiple types of programs.
Luxury Detox in California
Most clients will require medical detox for about 3-10 days when they first enter treatment. Our luxury detox in California utilizes advanced monitoring technology to track vital signs, allowing clients to sleep through the night. The goal of detox is to help people stop using substances safely. Medications, tapering protocols, and other treatments, like hydration support, are used to address drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms until the client achieves physical stability.
California Residential Treatment Centers
Once clients reach physical stability in detox, they can start a typical residential treatment schedule. Our California residential treatment centers use family therapy alongside other treatments. These include but aren’t limited to regularly scheduled individual therapy sessions, daily groups (5-7 groups per day), and 3-5 outings per week, including 12-step meetings and wellness walks around the neighborhood. This program lasts for 30 days.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) in Northern California uses the same effective approach as our residential inpatient program. However, clients in PHP at Align Recovery attend therapy on an outpatient basis while living at home or in sober housing nearby.
Virtual Care
Our virtual care options make it possible for clients and their loved ones to attend therapy sessions remotely. This approach eliminates the need for in-person visits and can be a convenient solution for those who do not live near our center or who have busy schedules. These sessions are held using a secure online platform to protect your privacy.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Dual-diagnosis treatment centers treat co-occurring disorders, such as mood, anxiety, or trauma disorders, alongside substance abuse. As a dual-diagnosis treatment center in California, Align Recovery helps clients with co-occurring disorders achieve the best possible outcomes.
Call Align Recovery Centers to Learn More About the Importance of Family Therapy for Addiction
When healing from drug and alcohol abuse, having a strong support system is crucial. Family members often have the opportunity to play a special role in their loved one’s recovery journey. Call Align Recovery Centers to learn more about the importance of family therapy for addiction, or to start the intake process, today at 1-707-760-7256.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is family therapy covered by insurance?
Yes. Generally, health insurance plans will help you pay for family therapy sessions with in-network providers. At Align Recovery Centers, family therapy is included in the total cost of our programs, which are covered by most major insurances. When you call Align Recovery, a staff member can help you run an insurance verification check for free. You are also welcome to verify your insurance coverage online through our website.
Are there support groups for family members of people with addiction?
Yes. There are support groups for the family members and loved ones of those facing addiction. For example:
- Al-Anon Family Groups (support groups for people with loved ones facing alcoholism).
- Alateen (support groups for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism).
- Nar-Anon Family Groups (support groups for people with loved ones facing drug addiction).
- Narateen (support groups for teens affected by someone else’s drug addiction).
- SMART Recovery Family & Friends (support groups for the loved ones of people facing any type of substance or behavioral addiction).
These support groups may meet in person or online. Treatment centers and local organizations sometimes offer support groups for family members, too.
Can family therapy sessions be held online?
Yes. Family therapy sessions can be held in person or online. One of the advantages of choosing Align Recovery Centers for addiction treatment is that we offer virtual care, increasing treatment access for individuals and families.
How do I support a family member with addiction?
Attending family therapy sessions is a great way to support loved ones with addiction. These sessions can help your family work toward goals like setting healthy boundaries, working through conflict, or learning more about the nature of substance use disorders. What you learn in family therapy can help you support your loved one (and take care of yourself) long after sessions end.
What should I expect in a family therapy session for addiction?
In family therapy sessions for addiction, clients and their family members meet with a licensed therapist who has experience treating substance abuse. A collaborative approach will be used as you set and meet goals, which can differ depending on the needs of the family unit.