Addiction can be referred to as a “family disease,” as one family member’s addiction affects the entire family unit. Often times, family members feel responsible for taking care of the addict or alcoholic. You cannot keep them from using. You did not cause the problem. You cannot control it. You cannot cure it but there is hope.
Help And Support For Family And Loved Ones
Resources for families of addicts provide a range of support groups designed to help heal and recover from the effects of addiction. These support groups can improve the chances of long-term recovery and provide an opportunity to share feelings, gain understanding, and develop strategies on how to stop enabling, detach with love, and communicate effectively. Through support group participation, families are able to find hope and reassurance that they are not alone in facing addiction.
Learn how The Ridge family programs and resources for families can help you and your loved ones find healing from addiction, together.
List of Resources for the Family of Someone with Addiction
Families Anonymous (FA).
Families Anonymous is a 12-Step fellowship for the families and friends who have known a feeling of desperation concerning the destructive behavior of someone very near to them, whether caused by drugs, alcohol, or related behavioral problems. Families Anonymous provides face-to-face and virtual meetings that can be found on their website at https://www.familiesanonymous.org/
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA).
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition program of men and women who grew up with an alcoholic father, mother, or otherwise dysfunctional homes. The ACA program was founded on the belief that family dysfunction is a disease that infected us as children and affects us as adults. ACA has face-to-face, online and telephone meetings available that can be found on their website at https://adultchildren.org/
Al-Anon.
Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help. Al-Anon has face-to-face, online and telephone meetings available that can be found on their website at https://al-anon.org/
Alateen.
Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations providing them with support and feelings of hope. Alateen provides face-to-face, and electronic supports which can be found at https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen/
Nar-Anon.
The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. As a twelve-step program, we offer our help by sharing our experience, strength, and hope. Nar-Anon groups can be found on their website at www.nar-anon.org or by calling the Nar-Anon World Service Office (WSO) at (800) 477-6291 (toll free).
Narateen.
Narateen is a part of the worldwide fellowship of Nar-Anon Family Groups, a twelve-step program. Narateen provides support and hope to young people whose lives have been affected by a relative or friend’s addiction. Narateen meetings are facilitated and monitored by certified experienced Nar-Anon members. Narateen groups can be found on their website at www.nar-anon.org or by calling the Nar-Anon World Service Office (WSO) at (800) 477-6291 (toll free).
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL).
Parents of Addicted Loved ones provide hope, through education and support, to parents of addicted loved ones. An educational component that offers tools for parents to use when to trying to save a son or daughter from addiction, including ways to help them in a healthy way rather than enable their addiction. A support component, a time for parents to interact, sharing what has worked – and not worked – for them in their community. Parents of Addicted Loved Ones group can be found on their website at https://palgroup.org/.
Families in Recovery.
Families in Recovery is a nonprofit ministry providing hope and support to both individuals in addiction recovery and their family members. Families in Recovery provides face to face and virtual support meetings, one on one sessions, and connection with substance abuse intervention resources. Contact information includes via email [email protected], phone (704) 707-4277 and Facebook at families in recovery online support group.
SMART Recovery Families and Friends.
SMART recovery for families and friends is based on the tools of SMART Recovery and CRAFT Therapy (Community Reinforcement & Family Training). Meetings are available both in-person and online. SMART Recovery Families and friend’s meetings provide concerned family members or close friends the tools they need to effectively support their loved one, without supporting the addictive behavior. The tools SMART Recovery teaches also help family and friends better cope with their loved one’s situation and regain their peace of mind. SMART Recovery Families and Friends groups can be found on their website at https://www.smartrecovery.org/family/.
Books About Recovery
Recovery books can be very beneficial to healing. Understanding the nuance of recovery can be helpful in not only overcoming the addiction but gaining a better understanding of what your family and loved ones may be going through. Opening your mind to seeking a better understanding can lead to grace and support which can happen through reading well-researched recovery books.
The Family Unit Must Heal Together
With the understanding that addiction is a disease and the realization that we are powerless over it, as well as over other people’s lives, we are ready to do something useful and constructive with our own. Then, and only then, can we be of any help to others. At the Ridge, we encourage family members and loved ones to participate in the treatment process because we know that outcomes improve.
During residential treatment at The Ridge, we offer eight family programming sessions as well as encourage family sessions individually with their family members and loved ones. The goal of our family therapy sessions is to get the people in your support system on the same page as you as well as encourage involvement. Evidence shows that when the people around you – family, friends, or peers – understand what you’re going through, they’re better able to support you on your rehab journey. The more support you have, the better your chances at achieving sustainable lifelong recovery.
Apart from these family sessions, you can get the detox program and inpatient rehab facility too. You shouldn’t be letting go of any opportunity that could bring you a step closer to sobriety.
