When Addiction Runs in Family – Breaking the Cycle

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Most often, addiction is thought about in terms of an individual. After all, addiction is a disease, but it develops through our choices and behaviors. However, like every other disease, addiction can also be hereditary – at least, the tendency to develop an addiction can be. Research shows that the children of people who are addicts are more likely to become addicted when compared to their counterparts. When addiction runs in family, the entire family can sometimes suffer. But the good news is that you can work on your addiction by seeking help in a Palm Beach detox center, even if your addiction has become severe. We here at Bright Futures Treatment Center can help people with different levels of addiction, as we always adjust our treatment plan to your unique situation.

Hereditary genes and alcohol or drug addiction

Genetics is an incredible thing. Our genes decide what the color of our eyes and hair will be like, and which medical conditions we will be prone to, and they could even play a role in some of our personal traits. Since the shared traits are passed down from parents to their children, it’s only logical that the addiction trait could also be passed down to kids. And evidence, as well as our extensive experience, seems to corroborate this fact. As a reputable drug rehab Florida facility, we have had a chance to witness how addiction runs in families, as the people who seek help for their addiction will oftentimes have been raised in a household where drugs or alcohol were present.

A woman doing DNA testing.
Genetics is an impressive thing. They can decide what the color of our eyes will be like and make us prone to addiction.

Now, it’s important to remember that not all people whose parents were addicts will grow up to become addicts themselves. In fact, many people who were raised in an environment such as this one will be repulsed by illegal substances. However, since a significant number of people who are currently in a meth rehab Florida center are children of addicts, we do believe it’s important to be aware of the hereditary genes which can be passed down. Being aware that you have a higher probability of becoming addicted might make you be more cautious about alcohol consumption. When it comes to addiction, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

All you have to do is take a look at the environment to see why addiction runs in family

Hereditary genes are one of the reasons why addiction is oftentimes a disease that runs in families. However, we can’t blame it all on genetics. Out of all the people who are currently in our alcohol rehab center Florida residents love, many of them grew up in families where at least one parent was abusing alcohol. Alcohol addiction is especially easy for one to develop as, unlike drugs, alcohol isn’t illegal. That makes it widely available, which makes it highly addictive. And alcohol, just like illegal drugs, is most addictive when you are constantly surrounded by it.

The home environment is vital for a person’s development, habits, and success. This is where we learn how to differentiate good from bad, how to behave in certain situations, and what is socially acceptable. And it’s a known fact that children tend to mimic what their parents are doing. This is why it is said that kids learn best by example. So if they see you struggling with addiction and constantly going in and out of an Oxycodone rehab Palm Beach center, there’s a good chance they will mimic that behavior down the line.

A family of four.
Be careful about the example you give to your children. They always look up to their parents.

When it comes to addiction, the home environment isn’t the only one that can negatively impact a child. It’s important to say that there are individuals who grow up in role-model families, yet they still end up being addicted to some substances. That’s because they have come across these substances in the social environment, and they might have even been introduced to them by their close friends. As experts from our Adderall addiction rehab Boynton Beach center will be able to attest, rare are those people who venture out to look for drugs for the first time without any outside influence.

How does one break the cycle when addiction runs in family?

If you know that you have been raised in a family where one or two parents had problems with addiction, the last thing you want to do is panic. There’s no need for that. This circumstance is not ideal, but it doesn’t mean that you are headed straight to an outpatient program Florida residents trust. With some help from us, you will be able to break the cycle and hopefully provide better odds for future generations.

What to do as a parent?

The first thing you ought to do is understand that you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. Yes, the problem does exist, and it doesn’t provide your children with the ideal environment. However, addiction can be managed and put under control. Thus, we urge you to take all the necessary steps to ensure that your child doesn’t have to deal with the same problems as you do. The responsibilities of a parent are great – and this is no different.

Seek professional help

It doesn’t matter whether both parents are dealing with addiction or just one of them – professional help is the fastest way for a person to overcome addiction. That’s why you should search for the best couples rehab in Florida right away. The right treatment center for you is the one that can offer the best treatment plan for your addiction. Just to give you an idea of what we are talking about, it’s safe to say that you wouldn’t admit yourself to an alcohol addiction center if you have a problem with prescription drugs.

Dollar bills.
Finances are a big thing when it comes to addiction. Ensure that you can afford treatment – or ask about insurance.

Likewise, the best treatment center for you is the one that you can afford. That’s why it’s important to ask questions such as does insurance cover alcohol rehab. We all know that rehabs can be rather costly, and there is no need to take all that money out of your own bank account if the treatment can be covered by your insurance policy.

Be honest with your child

Honesty really is the best policy and there are few things that are more important than honesty when dealing with children. Kids are wiser and more intuitive than they seem. Moreover, they can sense when someone lies to them. That’s why there is no need to cover your substance abuse if they have already seen you under the influence. What you should do, however, is be honest about all the consequences that stem from your addiction. Even though children learn best by behavior, they can also learn through conversation.

Of course, adapt the conversation to your child’s age. If they are young adults and teenagers, you can talk about the strain addiction has had on your marriage or finances. Explain how you had to deal with questions such as does Humana cover alcohol rehab on top of your problems that were brought on by addiction. We know that you never want your kids to worry or stress about anything, especially not you. But if you want to break the cycle when addiction runs in family, it’s important for you to be honest and transparent.

What to do as a child?

If you grew up in an environment where addiction was an issue, then you are most likely worried that you will have to deal with addiction yourself. You are worried that you will have to spend your time in rehab facilities, asking questions such as does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover alcohol rehab, which program would be best for you to attend, and how long you will have to be in rehab for. But that doesn’t have to be the case. You just have to be aware of the problem and work on staying sober.

Four people hugging and talking about what to do when addiction runs in family.
Self-awareness is crucial when addiction runs in the family.

Don’t neglect the problem

One of the main reasons why some problems become huge issues down the line is because they are being swept under the rug. It might be easier and more comfortable for you to deny your problems. But that’s not going to help you solve them. Instead, we suggest that you identify the problem and accept that you have a higher chance of developing an addiction in comparison with someone who was growing up in a different household.

Think about therapy even before developing an addiction

Therapy is essential once a person develops an addiction problem, but it’s just as important before it. When addiction runs in family, people need to understand that they need to work on prevention. That’s why we suggest that you avoid contacting rehabs and asking does Cigna cover rehab, which you can do by simply finding help in due time.

Working with a therapist will help you uncover some deeply hidden feelings and emotions. And since you can’t process your emotions until you become aware of them, this will help you stay away from addiction. After all, this disease usually develops when people want to run away from their reality. Substances help them forget about their present affairs. If push comes to shove, and you have to find a rehab center and inquire is drug rehab covered under FMLA, your prior sessions with your therapist will greatly help you go through what’s to come.

A close-up picture of candles.
Therapy can take many different forms. It can help you solve your problems in a warm and inviting setting.

Seek help in due time

If at any moment, you start experimenting with drugs, it would be essential for you to seek timely assistance. It’s imperative to seek help as soon as you notice that drinking, for example, is no longer contained to after-work drinks once or twice a week. Bear in mind that this is important for every person. But it simply becomes that much more crucial when a person has a predisposition for addiction.

What we suggest is for you to do your research beforehand. It’s necessary to research the different rehab facilities and compose a list of questions that you wish to ask. Feel free to put as many questions on the list as you deem necessary. The following are just a few suggestions from us:

What’s the point of asking these questions, you ask? Well, it’s to give you an idea of the peculiarities of one rehab center and its modus operandi. Different treatment centers include different activities in their plans, and they all have unique approaches to addiction recovery. That’s why it’s essential to find the one center that works best for your needs.

Three alarm clocks.
Addiction is much easier to cure once you start with treatment in due time.

It won’t be the end of the world if addiction runs in your family

However, you do have to realize that you will need to be more careful. When addiction runs in family, your tendencies for drug and alcohol use increase significantly. That doesn’t mean that the same destiny awaits you, as well. It just means that you will have to be more careful about your choices. If it does come to the point where you develop an addiction, it’s essential to search for help. At the end of the day, the best advice we can give you is not to ignore your problems. That’s the only way to break the vicious cycle of addiction. Of course, you can also always contact us for support. We are happy to assist.

 

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