Addiction and substance use can be difficult to overcome—and families often bear the weight of these struggles too. Ikon Recovery Center is proud to provide holistic care for individuals and their families navigating the challenges of addiction and mental health concerns. Our goal is to restore productive communication and healthy relationships to support your recovery journey and build a stronger family unity.
Family Addiction
Counseling
Get the support you and your loved ones need with Family Addiction Counseling at Ikon
Discover Healing Together With Family Addiction Counseling
What Is Family Addiction Counseling?
Family counseling, also known as family therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that deals with improving communication and resolving conflicts within the family unit.[1] It invites collaboration between family members to address their issues, enhance their understanding, and create positive changes within their relationships with one another.[2]
Therapy sessions for families can be beneficial in navigating several challenges, such as communication breakdowns and conflicts,[3] and family counseling for addiction focuses on the impact that substance use and mental health challenges can have within this context.
Family counseling for addiction is delivered by a licensed professional (such as a therapist or a social worker) and can involve anyone whom the individual considers a part of their family. The duration of family therapy for addiction can vary based on several factors, including the specific needs and circumstances of the people in attendance. Sessions are usually between 60 and 90 minutes in length.[4]
Ikon Recovery Center is dedicated to delivering the very best in holistic care for addiction, and that includes providing family counseling to strengthen the bonds of your loved ones and address any underlying mechanisms of addiction within your chosen community. Your recovery is important, which is why we offer several unique and effective treatment modalities designed to address every aspect of your care and help you realize your fullest potential.
How (and Why) Family Addiction Counseling Works
Family-based treatment seeks to address the interconnected family dynamics of addiction, recognizing that the well-being of the individual suffering is often closely tied to the family unit on the whole.
While there are several types of family counseling,[5] family therapy for addiction generally works to focus on the following aspects:
Improving communication patterns:
Family addiction counseling enhances communication, creating a space for open dialogue to better understand the challenges of addiction.
Addressing potential codependency issues:
Codependency issues, or a relationship in which each person needs or is dependent upon the other, can be a major challenge of addiction. Family sessions look to encourage healthy behaviors within relationships to decrease the risk of ongoing usage and potential relapse.
Providing education and increasing awareness:
Engagement in family therapy for addiction helps family members to understand addiction as complex and multifaceted, helping to reduce stigma and cultivating empathy
Increasing well-being:
By involving the entire family, counseling contributes to building trust and the creation of a positive, more supportive family environment for the recovery process.
Strengthening the support system:
A vibrant support system is critical to recovery, and family therapy for substance use (and co-occurring mental health issues) emphasizes the importance of collective involvement in the recovery process.
Engaging holistically:
Family addiction counseling is part and parcel of the holistic approach in recognizing that addiction affects several aspects of your life and well-being. As such, it focuses on improving your communication patterns and engagement with your loved ones to foster an open, honest, and mutually supportive system of support.
Family addiction counseling aims to create a supportive, understanding, and informed family environment that contributes significantly to the success of an individual’s recovery journey. Family therapy at Ikon is tailored to empower families, cultivating resilience and building a foundation for lasting recovery. Our holistic approach prioritizes the well-being of both individuals and their loved ones, recognizing the vital role of family dynamics in the journey to sustained healing.
The Efficacy of Family Addiction Counseling
Just as problems within the family can influence addiction, a supportive family environment can play an important role in the recovery process.[6] Studies have shown that family engagement in counseling enhances motivation and the overall success of treatment, in addition to being linked with better outcomes for the individual struggling.[7]
Several studies have also shown that family-based approaches are among the most effective interventions for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions,[8] particularly with regard to their ability to provide a more comprehensive and integrated method of care to the overall treatment plan.
Family Addiction Counseling at Ikon
Ikon is here to help you realize your full potential, which is why we integrate family therapy for addiction and co-occurring issues into our multifaceted and personalized approach to recovery. You deserve to lead a fulfilling life, strengthened by the support of your loved ones, and we’ll help you cultivate a foundation for enduring well-being and growth with our unique and holistic approach to treatment.
Treating Addiction
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Addiction Counseling
How does family addiction counseling differ from individual counseling for addiction?
While individual counseling focuses on the person with addiction, family addiction counseling involves the entire family unit. It addresses the collective impact of addiction on family dynamics, relationships, and the overall family system.
What if some of my family members are resistant to participating in counseling?
It’s not uncommon for resistance to arise. Family addiction counselors are skilled in navigating resistance and can work with willing family members initially. Over time, as the benefits of counseling become evident, others may be more open to participating.
How can family addiction counseling benefit the individual with addiction?
Family addiction counseling provides essential support for the individual with addiction by creating a healthier family environment. It works to reduce relapse risks, improve communication, and address underlying family issues that may contribute to the cycle of addiction.
How can family addiction counseling contribute to relapse prevention?
Family addiction counseling helps identify and address factors that may contribute to relapse, such as family stressors or communication breakdowns. By creating a supportive family environment and developing more effective coping strategies, the risk of relapse can be significantly reduced.
Can family addiction counseling be part of a larger treatment plan?
Absolutely. Family addiction therapy can complement individual therapy, support group participation, and other therapeutic interventions. The collaborative approach ensures a holistic and effective strategy for both the individual and their family alike.
Sources
[1] FAMILY THERAPY CAN HELP FOR PEOPLE IN RECOVERY FROM MENTAL ILLNESS OR ADDICTION. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma13-4784.pdf 15th, 2023
[2] American Psychological Association. (n.d.). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Dictionary.apa.org. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/family-therapy on November 15th, 2023
[3] American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2015). About Marriage and Family Therapists. Aamft.org. Retrieved from https://www.aamft.org/About_AAMFT/About_Marriage_and_Family_Therapists.aspx on November 15th, 2023
[4] FAMILY THERAPY CAN HELP FOR PEOPLE IN RECOVERY FROM MENTAL ILLNESS OR ADDICTION. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma13-4784.pdf on November 15th, 2023
[5] Information, N. C. for B., Pike, U. S. N. L. of M. 8600 R., MD, B., & Usa, 20894. (2020). Chapter 3—Family Counseling Approaches. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571088/ on November 15th, 2023
[6] Lander, L., Howsare, J., & Byrne, M. (2013). The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: From theory to practice. Social Work in Public Health, 28(3-4), 194–205. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725219/ on November 15th, 2023
[7] Kourgiantakis, T., & Ashcroft, R. (2018). Family-focused practices in addictions: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 8(1), e019433. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019433 on November 15th, 2023
[8] Rowe, C. L. (2010). Multidimensional Family Therapy: Addressing Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Other Problems Among Adolescents with Comprehensive Family-based Treatment. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 19(3), 563–576. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2010.03.008 on November 15th, 2023
