Alcoholism tears apart the person who has the disease. It affects every area of their life from work, school, and social life. One part of their life that it also affects is their family. Not only is the person drinking or using drugs sick, we believe the family has their own spiritual sickness. The good news is that like the addict or alcoholic that goes to AA/NA, the family also has support through the program of Al-Anon.
Simply put, Al-Anon is a program that helps families of alcoholics by working the twelve steps that Alcoholics Anonymous has. Many times we hear “I don’t have a problem or need a twelve step program. He/She is the one using drugs and alcohol. They need help.” Part of that statement is true, the person using does need help. But what about all the horrible feelings as family members that we experience? What about those feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, trust, and fear? Those are the issues that we will help you with. When properly approached, the family members that seek help can drastically aid the recovery of the person who is afflicted with the disease.
Clearbrook offers a Family Education program for the family members of their patients, or anyone living with an alcoholic or addict in their lives. The program meets three weekends per month. Call us anytime for more information. Anyone can sign up for the program, even if they do not have a loved one in treatment.
In short, we believe that family recovery is a vital component that should be experienced while your loved one is in treatment at Clearbrook Manor, or if you decide you are ready to get well even if they are not.
