Family Psycho Educational Group

Substance Use Disorder Family Education & Support Program

Presented as a live, interactive, online group via Zoom! Offered bi-monthly and open to any friend or family member of our current clients. Small meeting fee applies.

Overview of the Family Education Program
Our program is adapted from the Family Education component of the Matrix Model. You can read more about this evidenced based treatment model at SAMHSA.gov.
People with substance use disorders often find themselves isolated from their families/close friends or in ongoing conflict with them. Family members (including extended family members and close friends) and significant others may experience feelings of abandonment, anxiety, fear, anger, concern, embarrassment, or guilt. Family members often do not understand substance use disorders and the changes that have occurred in their family.
They also may not understand the dynamics of recovery and the changes that recovery brings. Providing education about substance use disorders and recovery and an opportunity for family members to talk about their concerns is critical to helping them support the person who is in treatment and can alleviate anxiety and other negative feelings they may have. Education helps families change some behaviors that are common to families coping with people who have a substance use disorder (such as protecting people who are dependent on substances from the consequences of their dependence). These behaviors may be disruptive both to people in treatment and to their family members. In addition, having some idea of what to expect as their loved ones progress in their recovery helps family members adjust to changes that accompany recovery. Treatment is more likely to succeed if significant others become educated about the predictable changes that occur within the relationship as recovery proceeds.

Goals of Family Education Group
Present accurate information about addiction, recovery, treatment, and the resulting
interpersonal dynamics.
Help clients and family members understand how the recovery process may affect
current and future family relationships.
Provide a forum for families to discuss issues of recovery.
Present accurate information about the effects of drugs.
Teach, promote, and encourage clients’ family members to care for themselves
while supporting clients in their recovery.
Provide a professional atmosphere in which clients and their families are treated
with dignity and respect.
Encourage participants to get to know other recovering people and their families
in a comfortable and nonthreatening environment.

More resources for friends and family members can be found at:
Al-Anon and Alateen: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
Nar-Anon: http://www.nar-anon.org/naranon
Codependents Anonymous (CoDA): http://www.coda.org
Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others (JACS):
http://www.jbfcs.org/programs-services/ jewish-community-services-2/jacs/#.Ud8XJawdHcw
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA): http://www.adultchildren.org
Brochures and Educational Resources can be found at DRUGABUSE.GOV and SAMHSA.GOV.

To learn more or to register, please contact our office to learn more