Chapters Capistrano Educates Family Members on Understanding Addicts

Aug. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Living life in the throes of addiction is no easy thing, but neither is being the family member of an addict. Watching family members suffer from the disease of addiction—often seeing their lives deteriorate around them—can be a wrenching thing for any family member to go through. At the same time, a lack of understanding about addiction can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment. In a new statement to the press, the addiction recovery counselors at Chapters Capistrano reveal some basic principles about addiction, in an effort to help family members truly understand its nature.

“Most families have been touched by addiction, if only for a season, and some families have been tragically and permanently altered by it,” comments Mike Shea, the founder of Chapters Capistrano. “Even in families touched by addiction, however, there can often be some misapprehensions and misconceptions about what the disease entails. There is nothing linear or easily comprehensible about addiction, which makes it a particularly tough thing to have true empathy and compassion for.”

A recent Psych Central (http://blogs.psychcentral.com/addiction-recovery/2014/08/...)article offers family members some basic facts about the addict in their lives, and Shea says the article’s points are worth considering. “No one wants to be an addict,” the article states. “Your loved one made the initial choice to try drugs or alcohol, but as addiction sets in, changes in the brain make it very hard to stop. Although it is understandable for loved ones to feel angry and resentful, the only approach that improves the situation is to love the addict and hate the disease, not the other way around.”

Comments Shea, “There is some debate right now about the extent to which addicts are making a choice in their disease. We would urge the family members of addicts to realize that addiction is a medical condition, a disease that no person would ever choose for themselves.”

The Psych Central article also instructs family members of addicts to note the ways in which addiction can change people’s behavior. An addict may lie, steal, or lose interest in his or her family activities, solely due to the addiction—but it is important for family members to remember that “the person you love is still in there.”

Shea points out that the disease of addiction can quickly spread to the entire family, not just the addict. Psych Central bears witness to the same thing: “Resentment builds as the constant focus on the addict detracts from each family member’s needs. Loved ones want to fix the addict or fall into the trap of believing they cannot be happy if the addict is still sick, which can lead to dysfunctional responses like controlling and enabling.”

The article also makes clear that addicts need the love and support of their loved ones—during the recovery process and during any relapse periods that might come about. “We would encourage loved ones to support their family member’s decision to seek treatment, and to help them find the solutions they need from an addiction recovery facility like Chapters Capistrano,” concludes Shea.

To learn more about the myriad treatment options available at Chapters Capistrano, visit the center’s website (http://www.chapterscapistrano.com/) or call at (888) 375-2564.

ABOUT:

Chapters Capistrano (http://www.chapterscapistrano.com) is a comprehensive addiction recovery treatment center located along the beautiful, refreshing coast of Southern California. Specializing in all types of substance abuse, Chapters offers flexible treatment programs that are designed to offer greater confidence in addiction recovery. With a thorough approach to detox, counseling and mental health, this center has delivered many success stories. In addition to offering alternative approaches to conventional recovery, Chapters is also recognized for providing guest comfort with exceptional accommodations, private rooms and cell and laptop allowance. Those searching to begin a new “Chapter” in addiction recovery are encouraged to contact Chapters Capistrano today at (888) 375-2564.