Individuals in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorders often benefit from family involvement in the recovery process. Family members provide additional emotional support, accountability, and motivation for clients in rehabilitation. Driftwood Recovery encourages family members to actively participate in the recovery process by attending family therapy sessions and learning more about how to help their loved ones navigate recovery. Our Courageous Family Program (CFP) empowers clients and their loved ones to make positive lifestyle changes to support ongoing recovery and family healing.
Why Family Involvement Is Crucial in Recovery
Family members often know their loved ones best and understand what incentives will help them overcome challenges or setbacks during treatment and aftercare. In addition, the relationships within a family unit significantly impact a client’s mental health and how they engage with the care team. Clients with a nurturing home environment and family members actively supporting recovery experience better treatment outcomes. We address all family and interpersonal issues that may impact a client’s recovery and mental health. Our family support services, including the Courageous Family Program, help clients and their loved ones build a strong foundation for lasting recovery.
What to Expect From the Courageous Family Program
Our Courageous Family Program has two clinicians dedicated to providing family support and care. The two experts collaborate closely with the rest of our clinical team and families to ensure clients receive appropriate and effective treatment. We regularly check in with client families to ensure they make progress in building a healthier family dynamic and have access to essential resources. Driftwood Recovery may refer families to community-based or private providers to ensure every family can access the support they need to navigate recovery successfully.
Dedicated Time and Support for Families
Every month, Driftwood Recovery hosts a three-day family program for individuals participating in family therapy or our CFP. We also offer weekly supportive calls to clients and their loved ones. Our clinicians provide families and couples with information about local support resources. Family and friends play an essential role in supporting ongoing recovery. We offer services to ensure those individuals have the tools and information to help clients progress in their healing journey. Families can attend our weekly family support group meetings, where they learn more about the treatment process and discuss various aspects of recovery with individuals who share similar experiences.
Enhanced Communication Strategies
The Courageous Family Program at Driftwood Recovery allows families to collaborate with the clinical team and family therapist during every stage of treatment and continuing care. Families often feel a wide range of emotions while witnessing loved ones move forward through the various levels of treatment. We encourage family members and close friends to learn practical communication skills to enhance the positive impact of family involvement in treatment.
Improving communication within the family helps clients overcome challenges in recovery. Some effective strategies for enhancing communication include:
- Practicing empathy and compassion by providing practical support and encouragement
- Actively listening and taking the time to acknowledge what people have said
- Using objective language and facts instead of emotional statements when discussing complex topics
- Being open to feedback and willing to accept different perspectives
- Resolving conflicts and relationship tension using family therapy and other therapeutic services
Family members and close friends support loved ones in treatment by improving interpersonal communication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy teach clients and their loved ones how to effectively communicate using empathy, compassion, and honesty.
Establishing Healthy Boundaries
Social boundaries allow people to feel safe and comfortable while interacting with others. Respecting boundaries and establishing them reduces miscommunication and helps families heal. Recovering from substance abuse involves growing and creating new routines. Setting personal limits to support sobriety is critical to long-term recovery.
A few practice techniques for creating effective boundaries include:
- Self-reflection to determine personal needs, values, and limits
- Communicating boundaries with clear “I” statements (e.g., “I need a few hours alone to meditate”)
- Politely saying “no” to requests that would cross a boundary
- Practicing assertiveness
- Remaining consistent and reinforcing personal limits
- Take time for daily self-care
People who prioritize setting boundaries often experience fewer complications and experience less emotional distress. We teach clients and families to create healthy boundaries.
Self-Care and Support Techniques
Self-care involves prioritizing activities that improve quality of life and mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), self-care “can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy.” Driftwood Recovery ensures clients and their loved ones know how to practice self-care.
Some methods for effective self-care we encourage clients and their loved ones to follow include:
- Getting quality sleep each night
- Practicing mindfulness and meditation
- Spending time outdoors
- Staying physically active
- Participating in enjoyable activities
- Spending time socializing with friends and family
- Practicing positive self-talk
Clients learn to develop healthy habits and routines to support self-care during rehabilitation. Our outpatient and residential care programs allow clients to practice self-care in structured environments. Clients with dual diagnosis often notice improvements in the symptoms of all active conditions after prioritizing self-care.
Utilizing Support Communities for Better Recovery
Supportive communities encourage people to set healthy boundaries, develop skills, and practice self-care. We offer multiple opportunities for clients and their loved ones to engage with others going through the same healing journey. Our weekly and monthly support groups and community events allow clients, alumni, and their families to become part of a thriving sober community at Driftwood Recovery.
Understanding Addiction and Chronic Pain
Family and friends provide better support to loved ones in treatment if they understand the connections between addiction and chronic pain, mental health disorders, or other co-occurring conditions. Family therapy offers families tools for addressing underlying issues and risk factors impacting their loved one’s psychological and physical well-being.
Some of the information we provide families include:
- The role of nutrition and movement in recovery
- What to expect during aftercare
- How to manage chronic pain and other medical conditions
- Community-based support resources
We use psychotherapy, pain treatment, family therapy, and other services to prepare clients and families for long-term sobriety.
Family Support and the Experience of Treatment at Driftwood Recovery
Some families struggle to give their loved ones the time and space to explore different aspects of recovery and learn new ways to manage their condition. The two dedicated clinicians who work directly with families provide transparent explanations for every stage of the treatment process. We ensure families understand when to take a step back and when to become more engaged in their loved one’s recovery. Our team of addiction recovery experts understands the value of family involvement in treatment and respects every family’s need to understand what treatment looks like for their loved one.
Gaining First-Hand Knowledge and Therapeutic Experience
Family therapy and our Courageous Family Program allow clients and their loved ones to learn first-hand the therapeutic techniques and services provided during rehabilitation. Every week, we invite families to our campus, giving them an inside look at our processes and therapeutic modalities. Family therapy offers family and friends a personal experience with the therapeutic approach at Driftwood Recovery.
Community Engagement and Shared Recovery Stories
Learning from others in recovery allows clients and their loved ones to gain more significant insights. Our community events and services promote peer engagement and enable families to share recovery stories and gain support. We use a proprietary app and other tools to connect with clients and their families throughout long-term recovery. Peers and other community members use these services and program features to communicate with one another and create a safe space for sharing personal milestones in the recovery journey. Peer support and shared learning facilitate greater emotional healing for clients and families.
Access to Expert Guidance and Information
Clients and their loved ones use the Courageous Family Program to access expert advice and additional information about maintaining sobriety. We offer educational resources and provide details on various therapeutic community services available in Texas. Our team of experts supports the families of current clients and alumni. We have informative and engaging activities and program services every week that help individuals navigate recovery. Continued access to expert guidance and information reduces the risk of relapse and can improve family relationships.
Our Courageous Family Program provides clients and their loved ones an extra resource for navigating treatment and ongoing sobriety. To learn more about the programs and services at Driftwood Recovery, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.
Contact us
Break the cycle of suffering through surrender.
Contact Driftwood Recovery today to get more information or schedule a tour.