Family Support

Support and Resources for Family & Friends

Alcoholism and Addiction are some of the biggest health problems in our country and are illnesses that consume entire families. Because the feelings, thoughts and actions of everyone in the family are effected by the alcoholic’s or addict’s use, it is often called a family disease. Friends and family members cannot control their love one’s drinking or use, but they can control how it effects their own lives. It is crucial that you have support for yourself in the same way the person in treatment will. Sobriety House provides resources and information for families of addicts and alcoholics.

Sobriety House Family Education Day

Once a month, we host a Family Education Day for the family members and friends of clients who are participating in the Phase I Intensive Residential Treatment program. This day is specifically designed to help educate you about the treatment process and programs offered by Sobriety House as well as provide you resources and information for yourself and other family members. Our Family Education Day will include:

  • An overview of our Phase I program, classes and focus
  • Information about continued care for Phase I graduates through our Phase II program, Outpatient groups and Gaylord Apartments
  • Testimonials from past and current Sobriety House clients
  • Q & A with members of our Clinical Staff
  • Education about support resources for the families & friends of those in recovery

Does my family member or friend need treatment?…

It can often be difficult for us to determine if someone we know is in need of drug or alcohol treatment – especially those closest to us. The following is a test developed by the Johnson Institute to help friends and family members identify families and individuals affected by drug or alcohol addiction. Answer Yes or No to each question:

  1. Are you ever afraid to be around the person when he/she is drinking or using drugs because of the possibility of verbal or physical abuse?
  2. Do you worry about the person’s drinking or drug use?
  3. Has the person broken promises to control or stop his/her drinking or drug use?
  4. Have you ever made excuses for the way the person behaved while drinking or using?
  5. Do you feel guilty about the person’s drinking or drug use?
  6. Do you feel anxious or tense around the person after he or she has been drinking or using?
  7. Are you afraid to ride with the person after he or she has been drinking or using?
  8. Have you ever lied to anyone else about the person’s drinking or using?
  9. Have you ever helped the person “cover-up” for a drinking or using episode by calling his/her employer or telling others that they are “sick”?
  10. Have you ever been embarrassed by the person’s drinking or drug use?

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions, there is a good chance that your friend or family member needs help. You can contact us for information about treatment options with Sobriety House @ 720.381.4337.

Additional Resources & Education:

You’ve probably heard people say “addiction is a family disease” that not only effects the addict, but also all those around them. Addiction itself is a very complicated disease and groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon can provide support and encouragement for the loves ones of alcoholics and addicts. Just as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous serve as a strong support system for those struggling to understand and live with their addictions, Al-Anon and Nar-Anon serve similar purposes for the families and friends trying to learn to love and help the alcoholics and addicts close to them.

 

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Written by: dhall on February 17, 2012.
Last revised by: dhall on March 23, 2012.

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