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Treatment for the Family
"Addiction is an obsession in that the addict’s entire life becomes focused on getting more of the drug. In the same way, family members of the addict become obsessed with the addict: will he come home tonight? Will he get violent? Will he go into work? Will he lose his job? Will we lose our house?” (projectknow.com).
This downward spiral leads to codependency, which manifests itself with the family members taking on roles to cope with the addict and suppress their underlying feelings of guilt, shame, fear, and anger. The most common roles are the:
- hero (makes sure that everything appears to be fine to outsiders)
- jester (minimizes or jokes about the seriousness of the addiction)
- caretaker or enabler (may give the addict shelter, money, food).
Understanding that they are playing roles and not being honest about the situation is an important step toward helping the addict face their own serious condition. This is a crucial step that can lead the addict closer to treatment and recovery.
Some therapy options for the families of addicts in the process of overcoming codependent behaviors are: individual therapy involving self-reflection and observation of personal behaviors and feelings (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy), or group therapy, such as 12-step recovery programs (e.g. codependents anonymous).
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