Sometimes, an addiction problem is the result of a conflictive family history where there have been significant deficiencies. Nevertheless, other times, the problem arises in completely normal families with an adequate history of education. That the family of an addict is problematic and conflictive is an important reason to start working with it. If it is not, the willingness to treat can make the problem easier to redefine and, therefore, to solve.
Normally, the addict uses drugs long before his family knows about it. However, the family often perceives the problem before the addict does. For this reason, it is common for the family of the addict to go to the professionals before the addict himself. On numerous occasions, the addict goes to treatment “pushed” by his relatives without awareness of the problem.
Redefining the problem, that is, instead of focusing on the addiction, focusing on the difficulties in the family relationship that exists at that time and the problems that this causes, regardless of whether the addict recognizes that the drug is causing some damage to his body or mind, allows the possibility of starting treatment. It is especially important when there is an addiction problem since when a treatment is rejected, it can take a long time until the decision to start it is made again, and during that time, significant physical, mental, economic, and relational deterioration can occur.
Regardless of whether the family has a role in the origin of the addiction, when the problem becomes evident, the family suffers, which is already a reason for them to receive professional help.
The family will try to use all its resources to help the addict. However, it will only sometimes work out well: some will do things that lessen the problem, others that do not produce noticeable changes, but unfortunately, others worsen the problem. Organizing efforts, discarding unproductive strategies, and promoting productive ones is another important reason to incorporate the family into treatment.
The family, like the addict, will need much information about the disorder, its origin, course, dangers, and the future to face the problem.
The family intervention’s therapeutic results are superior to treatments that only use guidance and counseling in the family area.
Specifically in addictions, receiving family intervention is more effective than receiving only individual and group intervention.
Family intervention has been shown to improve couple relationships and social integration after treatment.
Family approaches manage to reduce the level of post-treatment drug use.
In cases with a psychiatric disorder, treatments that include family intervention achieve reductions in psychiatric symptoms.
Drug-dependent adolescents treated with family interventions achieve better school functioning.
Family intervention significantly improves family functioning (communication, environment, flexibility, reduction of conflicts, etc.) and normalization and social incorporation.