Role of family in alcohol and substance abuse

Abstract

Abuse is a family disease, which requires joint treatment of family members. Family is an important part of the diagnosis and treatment chain of alcohol and substance abuse. Abuse of alcohol and substance is a response to fluctuations in the family system. In consideration of interactions within the system, it seems an important requirement that the clinician involves, and maintains the presence of, the family in its entirety in the treatment process. A family often needs as much treatment as the family member who is the abuser of alcohol or a substance. In this regard, participation of the family in the treatment process as group members and by assuming a supportive role are assets in terms of preventing relapse, and extending clean time, and also very important for solving conflicts that give rise to abuse of alcohol or substances. Accordingly, it is important to know the family structure and its role in the treatment process. This article covers a review of family systems separately in terms of alcoholism and substance abuse.

Gene Transcription Alterations Associated with Decrease of Ethanol Intake Induced by Naltrexone in the Brain of Wistar Rats

“…Alcoholism is a serious health, social, and familiar problem of difficult solution produced by the conjunction of different complex causes that reflect the interaction of genetic, environmental, socio-cultural, and personal factors (Saatcioglu et al, 2006). In general, the main objective in the treatment of alcohol dependence is the maintenance of the abstinence and the reduction of seeking behavior to avoid relapse.…”

Family Expressed Emotion In Relapse of Alcoholism

“…The argument is that interaction patterns of hostility and criticism (indicating disapproval and dislike)are communicated in an environment depicted by over-caring or self-sacrificing relatives. According to Lopez et al (2009) emotionally over-involved relatives become so overbearing that the patient can no longer live with this kind of stress from pity, and falls back into their illness as a way to cope (Lopez et al, 2009 (Saatcioglu et al, 2006). This results in stressful reactions from for the dependent individual which make them vulnerable to relapse.…”

“…Witkiewitz & Marlatt, 2004) while many other studies have recognized that the social context particularly the family has a significant role to play in maintaining abstinence after treatment of alcoholism (e.g. Copello, Velleman & Templeton, 2005;Saatcioglu, Erim & Cakmak, 2006). A supportive family is considered the strongest source of identity and social support among all contextual relationships (Beattie, 2001) and hence is associated with better prognosis during alcoholism treatment.…”

Family expressed emotion and drug use in young / Emoción expresada familiar y uso de drogas en jóvenes

“…También en el tratamiento y prevención de la drogodependencia un factor importante es la implicación del núcleo familiar, algunos trabajos consideran que para tratar eficazmente esta patología es necesario que el afectado se encuentre dentro de un contexto familiar estable (Dodge y Pettit, 2003;Maltzman y Schweiger, 1991). Llegando algunos autores a consideran la drogodependencia como una afección familiar que requiere tratamiento de todos los miembros (Saatcioglu, Erim y Cakmak, 2006). Por lo que implementar estrategias que promuevan una comunicación adecuada, tendría implicaciones para la prevención y tratamiento de consumo de drogas.…”