Role of Family in Treatment of Drug Addiction

The successful treatment of drug addiction is a long and difficult process for the drug addict. In order to increase the chance of a successful drug treatment, the family needs to plays a few important roles in supporting and encouraging the treatment process.

Intervention

• If a family member has a drug addiction, but is unwilling to seek help on his own, the family should intervene and strongly recommend drug addiction treatment. The family needs to be strong and forthcoming in their intervention.

Support

• Once the family member has entered into drug treatment, the family needs to be extremely supportive of the treatment process. The drug addict will likely have a difficult time adjusting to life without drugs, and the family will need to provide consistent help and understanding.

Encouragement

• The family also needs to be encouraging throughout the entire process of drug treatment. The family should assure the drug addict that she can recover completely and that life will be better for her when it is over.

Safe Environment

• During and after drug treatment, the family needs to provide a safe and secure environment for the drug addict. The environment should be free of drugs, alcohol, stress and anything that triggers the addiction. Without this safe environment, the drug treatment will likely be unsuccessful.

Strength

• Even after drug treatment has concluded, the family will need to stay strong for the former drug addict. The family needs to make it known that they will not stand for continued drug use and they will intervene again if necessary.