Educating and Treating the Family in Drug Rehab
We have started another family week here at the Cirque Lodge. Family Week is when residents being treated in drug rehab are encouraged to invite family members for a four day long treatment program. Family is an influencing factor on addiction and on recovery. Their action and behaviors can have both positive and negative influences on the alcoholic/addict. Cirque Lodge uses Family Week to better educate family members on the nature of addiction and how to properly support their loved one as they undertake the recovery process.
Each day provides a different lecture, workshop or recovery activity for families to take part in. These elements better teach family members on the factors that influence addiction within the home; things like enabling behavior and codependency. A workshop and lecture are given on the disease concept of addiction and how it influences the central nervous system. Family Week also provides family members with opportunities to be involved with our experiential program. Each day provides some fun learning exercises, a scenic nature hike, and even the thrill of some High Ropes elements. These things can help create a better understanding on the makeup of addiction, as well as provide lessons for the recovery process.
Family Week also provides a platform for family members to have open and honest communication. Some have been hurt by the behaviors of their loved one during times of drugs and drinking. These can be a negative. Family process groups and counseling sessions are a part of each Family Week. It can be a platform for healing and a foundation for rebuilding the trust that was destroyed through addictive behavior. This piece to the family program is not always the easiest, or most welcome. However, in the long run, this therapy can be a foundation for moving forward as a family unit in recovery.
