Curious what the one main thing is that contributes to successful recovery?
It’s not the treatment center. It’s not the therapy method.
It’s family support.
Years of seeing people come through the doors in recovery has taught one thing. People who have strong family support are far more likely to achieve long-term sobriety. The statistics support this as well.
Learn why family support is important, particularly for people who struggle with co-occurring disorders.
Let’s jump in!
Recovery is hard work.
Anyone who says differently is trying to sell you something. The process is physical, emotional and mental torture sometimes – particularly in the beginning. It’s where family comes in.
Studies indicate that rehabs which incorporate family therapy into their programs retain 20% more participants. 20% increase in retention through the simple act of involving family.
Here’s why it works so well:
Knowing you have people behind you in your recovery makes it much less likely that you will quit when times are hard. Family support includes:
Pretty powerful, right?
But it becomes even more crucial when a person is struggling with something in addition to addiction.
Co-occurring disorders make recovery a whole lot more complicated.
As you may not be aware, co-occurring disorders are when a person is struggling with a substance use disorder AND a mental health disorder at the same time. An example is depression and alcoholism. Or PTSD and opioid addiction.
You’re more likely to know someone than you think. SAMHSA reports that 21.2 million adults had co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder in 2024.
Family is important here as co-occurring disorders need to be treated with a program that treats BOTH problems simultaneously. Treating one but not the other will most likely result in relapse as the untreated disorder can trigger a return to drug use or drinking. Family members can support their loved one to seek out a quality program where they can safely detox while also receiving mental health treatment for the co-occurring disorder.
Why does the family piece matter so much?
Symptoms are invisible because they relate to mental health. A family member may appear outwardly fine, but inwardly be in a depression or anxiety crisis. Parents, children, partners, friends are most often the first to know something is amiss:
Families that notice these red flags in time can get their loved one back on track before it’s too late.
Now to the practical stuff.
Here are 5 ways your family can make an enormous difference in your loved one’s recovery. These five simple suggestions are not easy, but they are powerful.
This is huge.
Most family members don’t understand addiction very well. They often view it as a moral weakness or a lack of willpower. Addiction is a chronic brain disease, no different than diabetes or heart disease.
When families take the time to learn about addiction, they:
SAMHSA and NIDA have LOTS of free materials on the internet. Spend a few hours reading. It will change your life.
Family therapy isn’t just for the person in recovery.
It’s for the whole family.
These meetings allow all parties to heal old wounds, communicate better and rebuild trust. They also show family members how to set healthy boundaries without enabling.
The truth is – addiction impacts the entire family. It makes sense to heal the entire family as well.
This one is simple but powerful.
If your loved one has just completed treatment, he or she shouldn’t have to return to a house full of triggers. Set the stage for a drug-free life by:
A supportive home environment can make all the difference during early recovery. After all, this is when most relapses occur.
Recovery thrives on routine.
Someone in recovery has a much better chance of staying clean when they have the same daily routine. Ways that families can assist include:
Even small routines like morning coffee together can make a massive difference.
Recovery isn’t a straight line.
There will be good days, and there will be bad days. There may even be relapses. In fact, about 40% to 60% of people in recovery experience a relapse at some point – just as in other chronic diseases such as asthma and hypertension.
When disappointments occur, families must exercise patience. Anger and frustration will only drive your loved one away. Patience and unconditional love will draw them back.
Even well-meaning families can accidentally hurt their loved one’s recovery.
Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid:
The good news? These missteps are easily remedied when you know they’re happening. Family support groups like Al-Anon help families learn new and healthier ways to support their loved one.
Family support can be one of the strongest forces in recovery – particularly for those struggling with co-occurring disorders.
It can be the difference between long-term recovery and a vicious cycle of relapse. The good news is that families don’t have to be perfect. They just need to be present, patient, and teachable.
To quickly recap:
Recovery is a journey – not a destination. And every journey is easier when you don’t have to walk it alone. By showing up consistently, families can play a vital role in helping their loved one build a happy, healthy, sober life.
