A family member abused alcohol for a number of years but has made the decision to stop drinking and build a new life. As part of the process, that involves seeking to make amends with family members and strengthen the ties that were strained by the alcoholism. In this situation, Family Counseling in Tacoma WA can make a huge difference. Here are some of the examples of what can happen.
Clearing the Air
There is likely a great deal of resentment and anger all the way around. As part of the Family Counseling in Tacoma WA, each person has the opportunity to share feelings that have remained bottled up for a long time. While listening to all the hurt that spills out with those words, the result can be a form of catharsis for everyone involved. Once the anger and the hurt are out there, it will be easier for everyone to process and eventually resolve.
Rebuilding Bridges
The years of alcohol abuse led to a great deal of mistrust. There are family members who simply do not believe that the alcoholic is serious about quitting this time. With the help of a counselor, it is possible to take those first steps toward establishing trust again. While it will take time, family members will begin to have faith once more and be willing to give the alcoholic one more change.
Creating a Support Network
As the counseling makes inroads into the fractured relationships, the alcoholic will begin to draw strength from loved ones. When the desire to take a drink is almost too much to resist, remembering what that one drink would do to hurt a specific member of the family will provide the motivation to resist. At first, it will be tough. Over time, controlling the urge will become a little easier.
For any family that includes a loved one with an addiction, call a counselor today and arrange for group sessions. Doing so will not make everything perfect overnight, but it will make it easier to deal with the current set of circumstances and be able to create a better future for everyone involved.