Systems Theory

Drug Treatment Through Examining the Big Picture…

Addiction is commonly referred to as a "family disease". This is because, when an individual starts to suffer from addiction their family commonly adapts their own lives to more easily live around the addict. Sometimes this occurs when a family member begins enabling the addict's behaviors. Other times it can be seen by a family member shutting down emotionally or removing themselves from the chaos created by the addict.

The family system's reaction to an individual's addiction can sometimes create issues that need to be addressed for long term sobriety to be achievable. This is especially true when an addict plans on returning home after their time in treatment is complete. For these reasons, Aspire of Texas believes in Family Systems Theory and Therapy as a crucial part of addiction treatment and drug rehab.

Giving Families the Opportunity to Heal…

Many family members at first might be upset with the ideas behind Systems Theory, as they feel it is removing the blame from the addict for their negative actions. This is not the case. Aspire of Texas believes fully in personal accountability for any individuals seeking treatment for addiction. Systems Theory is not a way to move blame from the addict to their family. Instead it offers an opportunity for family members to understand how their loved one's addiction has negatively affected them, and gives them the opportunity to heal as well.

Sometimes the affect an individual's addiction has had on their family is subtle, other times it is profound. Systems Theory allows our highly trained, masters and doctoral level counselors, to understand the impact and promote both growth and healing for those negatively affected by addiction besides only the addict themselves.

Further Information on Systems Theory

Systems theory takes a holistic approach to counseling by stating that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The individual is viewed as a functioning ecosystem with multiple parts working together. Individuals are understood in the context of their family of origin. The family is a system and when one piece of the system suffers the whole family struggles to adapt. The family system must undergo changes including creating healthier rules, roles, and boundaries.