Family Program

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At New Start Recovery, it is our belief that drug and alcohol addiction affects families as a whole.  Successful healing and recovery requires more than just treatment and education for the addicted individual.  Research and experience tell us that family involvement in recovery is imperative to understand the complexities of addiction. Our  Family Program focuses on educating, empowering and supporting families who want to be best prepared to help their loved one be successful in their recovery.   Our approach to recovery is action and solution-oriented.

Families come to New Start Recovery wanting to know how they can “fix” their loved one.  Families need to realize that while they are powerless over their loved one's substance abuse and behavior and cannot change it, they can change themselves.  We encourage family members to find a solution for themselves and begin their own recovery.  By taking care of ‘self' they become the best aid in the recovery of both their loved one and themselves.

There are times when the addicted person refuses to participate in any treatment program.  Even in this situation, families are encouraged to attend our Family Program to embrace their own healing and recovery needs.  It is not unusual for the family to seek help first, and for their loved one to follow.

When addiction is involved, it becomes impossible to maintain a healthy, functioning family system.  Family members are affected physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.  As the destructive progression of the disease progresses, many family members become so focused on their loved one that they lose the ability to take care of themselves.

THE GOALS OF FAMILY PROGRAM

Learn about addiction as a disease concept

Identify family roles in addiction

Recognize and prevent enabling addictive behaviors

Move past denial, shame, guilt and fear

Define and conceptualize co-dependence

Practice healthy methods of conflict resolution

Establish healthy boundary systems

Create a relapse prevention plan

Practice Al-Anon recovery principles

Promote ongoing recovery and healing

 SELF TEST FOR FAMILY MEMBERS

Please answer yes or no to the following questions:

Yes   No Do you lose sleep because of a loved ones' problem with alcohol or drugs?

Yes   No Do your thoughts revolve around the problems of drinking or drug use?

Yes   No Do you make him/her promise to do things he/she may not be able to keep?

Yes   No Do you make threats you don't follow through on?

Yes   No Do you at times love, and at times hate, the loved one for drinking or using drugs?

Yes   No Do you mark, hide, dilute and/or empty out alcohol or dispose of their drugs?

Yes   No Do you believe everything will be all right if your loved one quit or cut down?

Yes   No Do you feel alone, fearful, or anxious a lot of the time?

Yes   No Are you beginning to dislike yourself or are you losing self-respect?

Yes   No Do you sometimes question the accuracy of your thinking or your sanity?

Yes   No Do you feel responsible or guilty for the drinker's actions?

Yes   No Do you try to conceal, deny, or protect the person using drugs or alcohol?

Yes   No Have you kept to yourself, or out of public situations, because of being embarrassed about the things the person has done or will do while under the influence of alcohol or drugs?

Yes   No Have you taken over responsibilities your family member would ordinarily do?

Yes   No Do you feel responsible for all the family affairs, including bills and finances?

Yes   No Do you feel the need to justify or rationalize your actions?

Yes   No Do you feel smug or self-righteous compared to the person who uses alcohol/drugs?

Yes   No Do the children take sides?

Yes   No Do the kids sometimes wonder why you can't control the other's drinking or using?

Yes   No Do the kids excuse the intoxicated person because they know his/her actions are because of alcohol or drugs, but then wonder what is wrong with you?

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These are some of the things that occur in a family where an addiction exists.  If you have answered yes to three or more questions, there is a good chance that your loved one needs help. Treatment for Families of Addicts in Houma family counseling