A family bond is one of the strongest bonds there is. However, that does not mean that that bond isn’t tested from time to time, especially when addiction becomes part of the equation. Addiction can test a family to its limits, but it doesn’t have to be the thing that breaks a family. In fact, with all of the new information and tools available, families can thrive together in recovery. Fortunately, breaking the cycle of addiction in the family is now more possible than ever.
Understanding Addiction as a Family Disease
It is now widely agreed upon that addiction is a chronic disease, and like any other chronic disease (such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes) it will almost always negatively progress without some type of professional intervention. It is now widely agreed upon that addiction is a “family disease,” and thus needs similar intervention for healing. Ultimately, a family disease requires a family solution.
Because addiction affects those closest to the individual, it only makes sense that the family would be so intimately and immediately affected. According to Social Work in Public Health, “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of [substance use disorder (SUD)] on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated against him or her.”
It is important to understand that addiction often extends beyond the immediate family. Rather, it is now understood that addiction is partly genetic, meaning that addiction can affect family members through generations.
Understanding Generational Addiction
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Biological factors that can affect a person’s risk of addiction include their genes, stage of development, and even gender or ethnicity. Scientists estimate that genes, including the effects environmental factors have on a person’s gene expression, called epigenetics, account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person’s risk of addiction.” This percentage can help to explain why many people who struggle with addiction ultimately find out that it exists somewhere in their family lineage.
Genes are not the only factor that can lead to addiction. There are also other contributors like social, economic, and population-specific factors. It is also true that addiction can manifest independently of any of these factors.
Understanding Addiction in the Immediate Family
As it is often said in recovery, “Addiction does not discriminate.” While there are existing factors that influence whether an individual may struggle with addiction, this is not always the case. For example, suppose someone misuses alcohol or other substances for long enough, even if they have no genetic risk of addiction. In that case, their risk of developing an addiction to alcohol increases substantially.
Whether genetic or not, addiction can devastate a family. It does not matter where the addiction manifested from; rather, it matters that it manifested at all. Whether genetic or not, when addiction affects the immediate family, it is important to seek help for the whole family as soon as possible. The good news is that there is more help than ever before for breaking the cycle of addiction in the family.
Breaking the Cycle of Addiction in the Family
To truly begin breaking the cycle of addiction the entire family must be included. Breaking the cycle of addiction often happens in two phases.
The first phase involves the individual struggling with addiction and the rest of the family beginning the healing process separately. For example, an individual may enter a residential recovery program to get the help they need while their family starts to seek individual and family therapy on their own.
The second phase involves the individual struggling with addiction and the rest of the family coming together to heal together. For example, this might start with family counseling sessions while the individual is still in the recovery center, and it may continue with family therapy sessions involving everyone once the treatment program has concluded. However, it is also important to note that family members should keep taking care of their individual needs (perhaps with continued individual therapy) while also recovering as an entire family.
Breaking the Cycle of Addiction With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Ultimately, the family that recovers together is the family that stays recovered. When the whole family works together, it’s possible to begin breaking the cycle of addiction.
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we understand that addiction is a serious family disease and thus needs a serious family solution. This is why we always include the family and the family’s needs in all of our recovery planning.
The Buddha famously said, “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” This is especially true when it comes to the happiness shared by a family that has overcome the devastating disease of addiction.
It is now well understood that addiction is a family disease. It can be generational, as well as influenced by immediate family circumstances. Because addiction is a family disease, it needs a family solution to break the cycle and help the whole family heal. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. For more information about how addiction may run in the family and how to break the cycle of addiction moving forward, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
