How important is family in drug addiction recovery?

Addiction is a complex disease on many levels; the family dynamic is disrupted, and loved ones besides the addict are impacted. Watch addiction specialist Harry Haroutunian, MD, explain why family support is a key factor for a successful recovery.

Transcript

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Addiction is an infectious disease of sorts. That is, it's contagious and can spread to any non-using family

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member with grave consequences. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Addiction is a biological, psychological, social, and spiritual disease. The addict or alcoholic usually has physical effects

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on their body. They usually have psychological effects, despair. They usually have disrupted relationships.

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The family members also can exhibit stress-related medical problems-- hypertension,

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migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, just to name a few. They also will suffer from the psychological effects,

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worrying constantly about the addict or alcoholic. Their relationships may be disrupted. And they've lost hope as well.

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They need treatment. It's not just about the alcoholic or the addict. Addiction is an infectious disease of sorts.

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That is, it's contagious and can spread to any non-using family member with grave consequences.

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Upon admission to the Betty Ford Center, each patient is asked to identify willing family members who participate in our family

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program. The ages of those folks are anywhere from 13 and above. We also have a children's program for children

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7 to 12 years of age. Both of these are critical to the long-term success of the alcoholic and addict and early recovery.