While not a blanket statement, family is often the most important aspect of our lives. Yet, when struggling with addiction, we often isolate and forget the importance of family. However, when it comes to the recovery journey, the family can be critical for long-term success.
Better Understanding Addiction as a Disease
Addiction affects millions of people every day. This includes people both in the U.S. and around the globe. It is estimated that in any given year, over 300 million people struggle with addiction worldwide.
Many people struggle with the concept of addiction. Without proper knowledge, many people think of addiction as some type of moral failing or “choice.” This is simply untrue. Addiction is a disease.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. Those changes may last a long time after a person has stopped taking drugs.”
Yes, addiction is a disease. Most medical and addiction recovery professionals agree that addiction has more in common with other chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease than it does with a “choice.” Addiction is also a “family disease.”
Better Understanding Addiction as a Family Disease
So, what exactly does “family disease” mean? It simply means that addiction affects far more people than just the individual who is struggling (especially the family). This is often why many people in 12-Step recovery refer to addiction as “a tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path.”
Addiction affects the very way a family functions. According to the peer-reviewed journal Social Work in Public Health, “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances, including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated against him or her.”
However, the good news is that while the family is often the most affected by a loved one’s addiction, they are also in the best position to help. However, they must first know the signs and symptoms of addiction to look out for.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Now, the signs and symptoms of addiction (also co-occurring disorders) are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms of the disease of addiction. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Not being able to stop once starting to drink or use substances
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is essential. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
The Recovery Journey: Utilizing Surf Therapy
One of the beauties of recovering in Charleston, South Carolina, is that there are many amazing opportunities to heal outdoors. This includes engaging with some of the most amazing beaches in the country, like Folly Beach. Here, one can engage in surf therapy.
Surf therapy offers a myriad of benefits for addiction recovery. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Carefully planned water activities tailored to the needs of the individual can contribute to correct psychosocial and cognitive development. The International Surf Therapy Organization summarizes the benefits of adequately indicated surf therapy as follows: improved physical health and mobility; improved mental health, including reduction of specific symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress and depression; improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, encouragement of independence, resilience and protective coping strategies) and improved social skills.”
Taking the Recovery Journey With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term fixes. This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This is also why we always include the family in the recovery process.
Recovery is about the journey, never the destination. It is also a journey best taken with loved ones. Recovery is waiting. We can help.
Addiction (and co-occurring mental illness) is a family disease, and thus, it needs a family solution. The importance of family connection in addiction recovery cannot be understated. The family is also often the first line of defense in getting a loved one the addiction help that they desperately need. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the importance of helping the whole family heal, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
