Online Consultation
The Hermitage Rehab
Online Consultation

Communication Enhancement

Many a time it is seen in the homes of patients of addiction that there is a kind of void that no amount of time is seen filling. The families forget to be together as one unit, they do not know how to sit and talk, how to eat meals together, or how to even spend time with each other. With the slow progression of the disease, the bonds of love become weaker. 

How addiction impacts communication?

As humans, it is in our nature to converse with other beings, share a joke, reminisce about old times, or even just sit and talk through the spent day. But, despite our need and want, the first skill that gets affected when addiction knocks at our door is communication. Patient of addiction undergoes intense feelings of shame, guilt, and loneliness and on the other hand, our families are left confused and hopeless. 

Even when both patient and family actively try to speak to each other, the vicious cycle of addiction traps them in enabling, provoking, and defending, making it extremely difficult to share thoughts and emotions openly and honestly. 

The discomfort that arises because of this, enables both patient and family to seek shelter under avoidant behavior. Instead of trying to identify manipulative communicative patterns, we end up avoiding the conversation that needs to be held significantly.

Identifying a deeper level of communication

Communication in a household of addiction can be hard and often what is said and not meant, and meant but not said enough, the real and deeper meaning can be lost. Therefore, here are the few key takeaways, that we advise you to keep in mind when a rough patch is hit during the conversation and conveying your feelings effectively becomes dire; 

Patient would like to know:

  • They are not choosing drugs over you, they simply cannot control their disease.
  • They do want to quit, but the physical and mental effects are too severe to do it alone.

Family would like to share:

  • Even though they were not aware, yet they are trying to acknowledge the disease.
  • They might end up arguing/provoking you but in reality they are angry at the disease.
  • It seems really difficult, but they wish to see you alright and would like to support you.

Communication Enhancement at The Hermitage Rehab:

Dr. JPS Bhatia for three decades has been training families in the art of conversation based on crucial aspects that are often neglected, not only this, he has been through the years aiding patients as well to effectively communicate with their loved ones without barriers. 

Under his expert guidance and teachings, a program has been curated at the Hermitage Rehab that truly understands the need for conversation and accepts how difficult it can be at times for patients to express themselves openly and how families have becomes lost in the abyss.

Specialized training revolving around the betterment of communication skills by our team of proficient mental health professionals not only promotes enhanced conversational abilities but has also shown increased and improved quality of relationships.