That happens a lot.
We do a lot of damage in active addiction, so we already have families that are upset. You can tell them the truth, which is if you don't make recovery your first priority you won't be around at all. Ever.
They may ask things like why don't you just quit? Why do you have to go every day? They don't understand.
And here is the kicker - they don't have to understand. They don't have to be "fair". The best we can do is go to meetings, let them know that is what we have to do, help out as best we can, and let them vent if they need to.
Probably not the answer you were looking for, but it is the truth.