Families In Recovery

Family Education plays an important role in the lives of those who are recovering. As family members gain a better understanding as to how their loved ones become alcoholics and addicts and the supportive role that the family plays in helping the addicted loved one in recovery the better the prospects are that the alcoholic or drug addicted individual will remain in recovery.

Family members of those who are in recovery continue to struggle with emotional and cognitive issues that hinder their recovery from the damages that an addictive family member produces. It is imperative that family members understand that they too are in recovery and require emotional, cognitive and relational support in order to improve their own lives and regain the serenity that has been lost. Our Families In Recovery program address critical issues such as acceptance, change, balance, choices and co-dependency in a safe, non-threatening environment where feelings can be addressed and expressed without fear of criticism or judgment.

Unlike in functional family environments where no one person takes a central role, in a family where alcoholism or drug addiction is present the alcoholic or addicted individual takes center stage. Because the addicted individual’s behavior is so unpredictable all their attention focuses on the addicted family member. As a result of the emotional upheaval and the isolation that the family feels they begin to adopt the perspectives of the addict. They internalize the rationalizations that heaps blame upon themselves for the addict’s behavior. This ultimately leads to family denial of the addict’s illness and the perpetuation of their unwarranted self blame.

Addiction is a family illness. Regardless of the personalities of the individual family members, they will usually react in a similar manner as a result of the strain and stressors exerted by the addicted family member. These family reactions can range from enabling behaviors which supports the addict’s maladaptive responses to life’s stresses to obsessive and compulsive behaviors which mimic the addict’s behaviors.

Family members learn to breakthrough the denial that they are also suffering and find reprieve from the isolation that they are experiencing as a result of the behaviors of the addict. It is imperative that family members understand that they too are in recovery and require emotional, cognitive and relational support in order to improve their own lives and regain the serenity that has been lost. Our Families In Recovery program address critical issues such as acceptance, change, balance, choices and co-dependency in a safe, non-threatening environment where feelings can be addressed and expressed without fear of criticism or judgment. The members of the group are able to share in a confidential environment their struggles with shame, secrecy and isolation.

The program helps family member address:

The program consists of twelve sessions that run continuously and are held at our facility on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30.

Program participants become empowered and encouraged as they learn that they are not alone in their struggle and that there is help not only for their loved one but just as importantly, for themselves as well.

Call us now for more information on non-12 step family recovery programs
770-933-6846