If a member of your family is fighting addiction, you are no stranger to the effects of addiction on the family. Addiction is a confusing problem for someone that is observing addictive behavior from a distance. It just doesn’t make sense.
The easiest way to understand addiction is to imagine putting a cookie in front of a 3 year old and then telling them that they can’t have it…after they have had enough experience to know how good that cookie will taste. Left unsupervised, the cookie will be gone!
A child’s decision-making ability is not well developed. We can excuse bad behavior – or even blame ourselves. We shouldn’t have left the cookie within easy access.
Addictive substances interfere with the brain’s decision-making function regardless of the age. In fact, it’s not uncommon for an addict starting in recovery to find that they need to mature emotionally as part of their recovery.
Recovering from addiction is a tricky process that requires more than sobriety. And, while it is possible to beat addiction without professional help, it can make the journey much easier. There are many options to consider.
Managing the Effects of Addiction on the Family
Individuals also differ in whether they should attend an intensive outpatient program or residential treatment, but the differences in cost can be significant, Wander told a caller to Saturday’s Deseret News/Intermountain Healthcare Health Hotline.
“Families often want inpatient treatment, where they perceive the most invasive intervention taking place, but patients usually want the programs that are most convenient,” he said, adding that outpatient programs allow a person to continue working.
Studies show that the two options offer similar outcomes, as each are equally effective in the broad spectrum, Wander said.
It is certainly possible to recover from addiction without formal treatment. Many do. However, if the decision is made that formal treatment is the best option, it is a big financial commitment – whether it’s inpatient, out patient, or extensive local therapy. For most, the cost of treatment is just one of the effects of addiction on the family.
Has a member of your family considered in-patient or out-patient treatment for addiction? What was your experience?
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