The participation and encouragement of the family members has a crucial role to play in the treatment of an addict. But an essential fact is that the family members are also often extremely distressed and confused. They often face innumerable problems ranging from violence, separation, divorce, inappropriate role models and extreme financial crisis. The problem of addiction creeps in silently until it is finally detected and it is perhaps only then faced by the family. However, by that time it has left a mark on each family member. Thus initially even the family members require a lot of assistance and encouragement to enable them to support the person in treatment.
Drug addiction is not a condition which can be completely cured once it is treated. It is a chronic, relapsing condition and the chances of reverting to the same situation is quite high if the individual along with his family members do not take adequate precautions. Treating addiction thus involves more than just getting the dependent to stop using drugs. It also involves counseling the family members thus improving the family relationships and functioning.
The family members have an important role to play in helping the recovering drug user adapting to the substance-free lifestyle. Extra money can always lead to a relapse. Thus the family should guide the person in managing finance in a better way by making use of some of the options like clearing his previous debts, budgeting current expenses or investing for the future.
Time management is one of the most important tasks of a recovering drug user and the family can play a critical role in this area by helping the individual schedule activities, engaging him in some activities of his interest.
Re-integration with the family is foundation of any treatment approach. The understanding, support and co-operation of the family members can help these hapless individuals come back to the mainstream of life.