Addiction is a disease and one that is contagious: it effects every family member even if only one person is struggling with it. Whether it is alcohol or drug use, gambling, sex, shopping, or overeating, addiction is creates an unhealthy and unstable family environment for everyone in the home.

Research

Due to the widespread nature of addiction and the implied effects on family members, it has been suggested that a treatment program that treats the entire family is a beneficial way to approach treatment. In fact, the University of Buffalo Reporter claims that there is research to support the effectiveness of family therapy as a successful addiction treatment module.

Researchers at the School of Social Work and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada evaluated 600+ families with both an alcoholic and at least one child under the age of 12. Comparisons were done between the groups that participated in group therapy and those who received information on addiction prevention. These comparisons showed that children who took part in family therapy were more likely to avoid issues of low-self esteem and depression that lead to drug use.

More Statistics

• 50+ percent of spousal and child abuse stems from alcohol and drug use; alcohol is the cause of about half of these cases.
• Families with an addict and alcoholic are seven times more likely to divorce
• 4 million women are addicts or alcoholics; a huge percentage have children
• More than 6.6 million kids live with at least one alcoholic parent

Children of alcoholics are more likely to become alcoholics and drug users themselves, suffering from the same addiction issues that plagued their parents and created stressful and sometimes violent home lives. They continue the cycle of addiction by having children of their own who must now grow up with an addicted parent. Family therapy is one option that provides help for both the alcoholic or addict as well as their children and in so doing can break the cycle.