Family Program

Many chemically dependent people start experimenting with drugs and gradually progress into abusive drug or alcohol patterns without realizing that they are becoming addicted. 

It follows that these individuals aren't aware of the harm they cause those around them - their co-workers, friends, family members, and loved ones. Some may justify their drug or alcohol abuse by telling themselves it's a personal choice and" that it's no one else's business. " But our experience has shown us an entirely different story. 

Read a sample letter template that families can use to approach the one who needs help

Our Monthly Family Program

Our network of treatment centers hosts a monthly "Family Program" that educates the entire family about the disease of addiction and how it might be affecting them. Many useful concepts are learned that will help the family work through the wreckage that the addiction has left and also learn how to respond to the challenges that addiction will present in the future.

The family program at Sober Living by the Sea is different than most family programs at other treatment centers. We find that too often families dread attending family programs. Visions of tearful confrontations and fear of the unknown can make the loved ones of the person receiving treatment worried about what will occur during the experience.

At Sober Living by the Sea, we take the opportunity to create an experience that is both educational and positive. Our family program is truly for the family and loved ones of the alcoholic or addict. We take the time to educate the family about issues like "enabling" and how to react when the loved one is dishonest or in denial.

Our state-of-the-art family program also helps families understand the importance of getting help for themselves. The family will be given the opportunity to learn from Dr. Joseph Bradley and Dr. Jerry Brown that there is hope, and that while their family member is in treatment, they can be growing and changing and learning right along with them. The family members will also learn how they can give their loved one the best chance at overcoming addiction or an eating disorder permanently.

Here is the schedule:

We hope that everyone takes the opportunity to grow with us and to have an experience that will truly bring your family together.

More Facts about the Damage Addiction Can Cause
to the Family

Alarming national statistics indicate that the entire family often suffers when one member is addicted to drugs or alcohol, or is actively suffering from an eating disorder:

• More than half of all spouse and child abuse is directly tied to alcohol and drug abuse.
• Alcohol and drug-addicted persons are seven times more likely to divorce.
• More than 4 million women in this country, many of whom are mothers, abuse drugs.
• More than half of all traffic fatalities are related to alcohol and other forms of drug abuse.
• Non-alcoholic members of alcoholic families take considerably more sick leave than members of families in which alcoholism is not present.
• Alcohol is implicated in 25 to 50 percent of cases of maltreatment of women, and in 20 percent of cases of maltreatment of children.
• An estimated 6.6 million children under the age of 18 live in households with at least one alcoholic parent.

Sadly, even if the substance abuser is able to keep up appearances to the outside world, family life often becomes intolerable for his/her loved ones. Yet they may try to cover up what is really happening because it's just too painful to admit their family is being torn apart by something they cannot control.

Desperate for change, family members may try to control events involving the substance abuser or his/her behavior. They may hide or throw out alcohol or drugs. They may repeatedly scold the addict or try to shame him/her into promising to never use again. They may call in sick for the chemically dependent person or lie to ensure the outside world doesn't find out the truth. Often, families become drawn into the substance abuser's sickness; they become co-dependent while trying desperately to make family life seem "normal."

Unfortunately, ignoring the problem or helping to cover things up isn't helping anyone. It certainly isn't helping children who may be living in the home. While they may seem oblivious to daddy or mommy's substance abuse, they are most certainly being affected – and not just temporarily.

If your family is being affected by drug or alcohol abuse, don't give up hope. It is statistically proven that when family, friends, or co-workers come together to help the chemically dependent person face his/her addiction and realize the damage he/she is causing to loved ones, that person agrees to enter treatment more than 90 percent of the time.

To find out if you or a loved one may be chemically dependent, there are questions you need to ask. Please visit our Self Assessment page.