Many people in recovery have rocky relationships with their families. Whether there is disfunction or you’re carrying guilt and shame, it can be hard for you to think about your family. One of the many issues people work on in recovery is their relationship with their parents.
Sharing Recovery With Your Family
If you’re lucky, you may have parents who have watched you struggle and tried to get you help along the way. Not everyone has that in their life! This is a great advantage if you let it be. For example, if you have a family that wants to help you, you can bring them “into the loop” when it comes to your treatment plan.
Many treatment programs have groups for families to get their own support. You can also have your program coordinate family therapy so that your parents know what to expect. Family therapy is a great way for your parents to learn more about recovery while you learn to establish new boundaries.
Sometimes your parents will even need to plan their own recovery program. If they enabled you or became co-depdent, they’re going to need to make plans for taking care of themselves now that you’re on the road to health.
When Your Parents Won’t Come Around
There are cases where a person gets clean and sober, but their parents don’t want to help them anymore. During your addiction, you may have caused a lot of pain. Your family has a right to take care of themselves and protect themselves.
Many people find that as they stay sober for a longer period, they are able to rebuild trust. This can seem like a slow process, but you have to remember that nobody owes you anything. You can’t force another person to accept your amends. Your family will probably come around once you’ve shown you’re really committed to sobriety. Maybe they won’t, either. You’re powerless over their actions and reactions. You only have power over what steps you take, yourself.
Stay sober for yourself and your own future. Things get better the longer you’ve worked your recovery program. In the meantime, build a support network. People in the 12-step groups understand what it’s like to be where you’re at, and they want to help. You can stay sober without your parents, and staying sober is the best way to prove you’re serious about changing.
Give your family the time and space to watch you recover.
Getting Help for Addiction
Are you or somebody you love addicted to drugs? Recovery is possible. The first step is finding a safe, professional, confidential place to detox. We can help. Let us start you on the road to reclaiming your life. Please call us at 1-800-970-8774.
