The disease of addiction does not affect only the individual who is struggling with it; it is a family disease. Hence, addiction can do serious damage to a family’s home environment. Addiction can create division, distrust, and disengagement. Fortunately, there are several strategies a family can use to foster family unity while a loved one completes their addiction treatment program. For instance, family therapy can significantly improve family relationships. At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, family therapy can be a great way to cultivate stronger family dynamics when a family member is dealing with an addiction.

The Negative Effects of Teen Addiction

Teenagers may already be dealing with the effects of puberty, trying to fit in at school, and pressure to make the cut for the school play or qualify for the cheerleading team. Adding addiction to the mix only makes everything in life harder. According to Youth.gov, substance use disorder (SUD) can negatively impact many areas of a typical teen’s life. Substance abuse can also lead to accidental injuries, auto accidents, and risky sexual behaviors. This sudden change in a teen’s behavior can also place stress on the family.

The effects of teen addiction may negatively interfere with an adolescent’s ability to maintain:

  • Academic success
  • Healthy relationships with friends and family
  • Positive work performance
  • Home priorities
  • Good physical health
  • Mental stability
  • A good reputation

Helpful Strategies for Improving Family Unity After Addiction Treatment

According to the journal Social Work in Public Health, the effects of substance abuse can be felt by the entire family. Often, the presence of an addiction will destroy family unity. For instance, an individual facing problems with SUD may steal, lie, or manipulate family members to achieve the desired substance. This will cause stress on family members, which can eventually manifest in a variety of strained relationships.

On the other hand, an individual’s family continues to be the single source of nurturing, attachment, and socialization in today’s society. Thus, the impact of SUD on families warrants immediate attention. Finding a competent treatment program is often the best solution for addressing teen addiction.

Yet, if a teen girl returns home without professional, emotional, or family support, she may experience additional problems. For example, once home, a daughter may find it more difficult to overcome unwanted triggers. She may feel isolated, reach out to the wrong group of friends for support, or engage in self-injurious behaviors to suppress her emotions. To avoid these problems, helpful strategies to gain family unity after addiction treatment might include:

  • Addressing past conflict
  • Taking time to understand the loved one’s condition
  • Setting clear boundaries
  • Participating in sober activities together
  • Seeking additional care
  • Continuously showing support
  • Getting in touch with community resources

The Value of Family Therapy for Improving Family Unity

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), family support is crucial in helping a loved one overcome drug or alcohol addiction. A lack of support can potentially derail a teen’s progress, putting her at risk for co-occurring mental health conditions and a potential relapse.

However, participating in some type of family healing method can positively impact a young woman’s retention, engagement, and ability to achieve sobriety. Family therapy can teach family members the strategies needed to promote everyone’s peace during ongoing recovery.

Before entertaining different family intervention programs, it may be best to consider unique family factors such as withdrawal status, legal involvement, co-occurring health conditions, or history of violence. Depending on the treatment facility chosen, family therapy objectives may include:

  • Involving families in addiction and mental health treatment
  • Altering family behaviors to support a loved one’s condition
  • Promoting healthy changes for future generations
  • Encouraging ongoing support
  • Assessing family conflicts such as domestic violence, abuse, and or assault
  • Focusing on the family’s concerns to enhance family unity

How Clearview Can Help Enhance Family Unity

Many parents worry when sending their child off for treatment. Choosing a facility that allows parent engagement may help ease the transition into treatment and into the post-treatment recovery phase. Clearview works to heal young women facing problems with their mental health while doing damage control within the family. The program not only provides teen girls with various treatment modalities but also focuses on therapeutic work for the family. This family focus cultivates a safe environment for both parents and teens to express themselves, relieve tension, and improve relationships. Everyone deserves to heal from the negative effects of addiction.

Staying involved in a loved one’s treatment and showing continuous support during recovery can help foster family unity. Staff members can also share different tools to help the family effectively communicate. With these skills, the family can develop a solid framework needed to support long-term sobriety and prevent relapse.

Options for family engagement include:

At Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we find that group therapy twice weekly is highly effective for adolescents, particularly for those in specialty groups such as adoptees. Family therapy occurs during family visits and over the phone. Your family will be encouraged to visit after a certain number of family therapy phone calls. When you visit, one of our therapists will participate in family therapy with you and your daughter. Each visit has a set of behavioral goals the student works on. Our goals are to help girls achieve greater health and to serve parents in building whole and healthy families. If your daughter and family are affected by addiction, call Clearview at 866-584-4788 for support.