Compare a family to a building. Each member is a pillar: equally important in the security, strength, and stability of that building. When one family member is struck by drug addiction, that pillar is weakened. The rood begins to shake and all other members are equally affected. The shift of weight calls for other family members to show more strength than they are used to.

Adjusting to a suddenly unbalanced shift in weight is never easy, and cannot last for very long. A family is built to work together, to “hold it together” in moments of weakness… but only for short periods of time. Once other pillars begin to weaken as a result of their increased burden… the entire family can collapse.

It is very important for family members to intervene on drug or alcohol addiction, and to encourage a loved one to seek out the help found in a drug rehab program.
It is equally important for family members to participate in a drug rehab program.
When a loved one has shown weakness, family members should never turn their backs on him or her. Instead, they should do everything possible to point their loved one back into the right direction, and to follow up by showing support as this family member is enrolled in a drug rehab program.

Aside from the obvious reason (showing support) it is also important that family participate in a drug rehab program because they too have been affected by addiction. The education and counseling programs are designed to help each individual family member understand his or her role in the addiction and recovery process.

Even if a building has collapsed, family members who participate in a drug rehab program often go on to build a stronger unit than before.