Substance use has been reaching epidemic proportions for millions of people in the past few decades. Opioid use, especially, has gotten out of control due to over prescription and high rates of addiction. Trends are changing for substance use disorder, but some families are less in the spotlight when it comes to receiving support. Blended families are in need of help in understanding the dynamics of addiction, how it impacts everyone in the family, and how to support loved ones within this structure who have an addiction.
Complex Family Structures
Family life keeps shifting from traditional to other types of families. They have gradually evolved into a complex system of relationships from step-families to same-sex, single-parent, foster families, and more. There are many layers with a family system. Blended families include anyone who joins another family and becomes a single unit, whether they both bring kids into it or one does and then they have kids together, adopt children and other means of blending the family together. The complexities mean treatment plans should reflect best practices for non-traditional families. Some of the challenges they may face include:
- Separate household rules
- Hierarchies
- Different roles or issues with concrete role establishment
- Family dynamics shifting with new additions
- Mental health and addiction challenges being brought into the family structure
Children who are in blended families that struggle with substance use disorder might become ‘parentified,’ or taking on responsibility that is not age-appropriate in order to compensate for what is lacking in the parent’s care. Among these issues are codependency and enabling behaviors.
Treatment Options
The best treatment options for non-traditional families are ones that focus on each individual but also take the unit as a whole when deciding best practices. The person or people who need addiction help and treatment should be primary while the rest of the family should participate in family therapy and understanding their role within the family structure. Education is important to make sure everyone looks at how addiction works and ways to shift family life to prioritize health and sobriety. The focus needs to be on how people can restructure family relationships and adapt perspectives to deal with substance use issues. A healthy family overall is going to be the safest bet against relapse or further trauma as a result of the person with addiction’s behavior in recovery.
The Guest House Ocala knows families come in all shapes and sizes. We are here to support you wherever you are in the journey. If you call us, we will help you figure out the best next steps in your recovery journey. Call us to find out how to get started: 1-855-483-7800