Addiction Information for the Family

We know addiction information can be overwhelming, and our excellent admissions staff members are available to answer any questions you and your family have, and provide you with all the information needed. We tried to pack this page full of anything you could possibly need to know about your role in your loved one’s recovery journey. However, if you still have questions we are available to talk any time at 818.452.1676.

If you want to help your loved one with their substance abuse, here’s what you need to know.

One of the most important things you will need to understand is your role in your loved one’s addiction. You must understand that substance addiction does not just affect the addicted person and that you are a part of this. Addiction is a family disease. When one member of the family struggles with a drug or alcohol addiction, everyone suffers. And because everyone suffers, it only makes sense that you will need to recover together.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease of the brain. What does this really mean?

The disease model consists of three components, an organ, a defect, and symptoms. The organ, in this case, is the brain. Simple enough. But here is where it can get a little confusing. Kevin T. McCauley explains the defect and symptoms best.

“The defect is the interaction between genetic burden and environmental stress that changes the dopamine and glutamate response to rewards. And the symptoms are the loss of control, craving, and persistent use despite negative consequences.”

You know a lot about addiction from your firsthand experiences with it. But have you ever asked yourself, how much do I really know what is going on with my loved one?

Chances are you haven’t. And that is totally understandable. You’re too close to the situation.

When you participate in your loved one’s recovery, you will learn to better understand their addiction. Even if things get dark and scary for a bit, this will only contribute to the success of their recovery. Plus, you will learn about all the positive ways in which you can support them.

Sifting through the information about insurance coverage for drug rehab can be time-consuming and confusing. Unfortunately, this task often becomes the most necessary at a time when someone is facing the challenges of drug addiction. When your family member is ready to enter a substance abuse treatment center, the last thing you want is to spend hours on the phone trying to figure out if your insurance will cover the treatment you need. Time is of the essence, as they say.

So guess what? You don’t have to. We put together this helpful guide: Does Insurance Cover Rehab? which will answer any question you may have about co-pays, levels of care, rehab programs, and everything in between.

In addition to being involved in a family therapy program like the one we offer here, there are other resources for family members that can be great supplements.

Al-Anon Support Groups

If you do one thing and only one thing from this list, go to Al-Anon. It’s a great way to connect with others who are dealing with some of the same problems as you.

What you won’t find at an Al-Anon meeting are schemes or magic formulas that will make your loved one stop drinking. It’s merely a place to talk about your experiences, listen to others, and learn to cope.

“Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.”

Facebook is an invaluable resource for addiction and recovery support groups.
Threads, recovery forums, and chat rooms are also great options.