Family programs for those affected by addiction

Our objective is to create an opportunity to heal the members of the family and provide a better foundation for a healthy, long-term recovery. The family program is designed to facilitate healing for the whole family by including them in the treatment process. Illness in one family member has an impact on the entire family system. Including the family in the treatment plan provides a better transition from recovery to re-entry, and it gives the family a sense of cohesiveness and support in the process.

Family members are strongly encouraged to spend several days at Serenity Inn & Spa just minutes away from St. Joseph Institute – a location that easily allows them to visit their loved one who is in recovery. Family members staying at Serenity Inn & Spa also have an opportunity to meet members of other families who have a loved one that is suffering from addiction. Staying in the same facility and attending recovery education groups and other program elements together provides them with the opportunity to form a network of mutual concern and support.

Research has shown that participating in a family program contributes substantially to more successful outcomes, as well as a reduced incidence of relapse.

Key Elements of the Family Program:

Orientation and Overview of the Program: Family members need to understand the basic philosophy and practices that are being taught to their loved one who is in recovery. Without such an appreciation, the family can feel disconnected and uninvolved in this important process of recovery. Residents will be taught new ways of living as a result of their experience in recovery, and family members can provide an invaluable source of support when they understand addiction and the process of recovery. Without this understanding, the family can be easily drawn into old patterns that trigger addictive behaviors.

Individual and Family/Marital Counseling: Family members are encouraged to participate in counseling as part of our family program. During their stay at Serenity Inn & Spa they will have the opportunity to receive individual counseling sessions, as well as family/marital counseling.

Recovery education Groups: The recovery education sessions drive our program, making it very important for family members to be exposed to the fundamental concepts behind the new behaviors that will be manifested by their loved one. Although the family program focuses on the Critical Life Skills component (healthy intimacy, effective communication, decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution), family members are also introduced to the idea of cultivating the true self and its corresponding developmental gifts of feelings, intellect, will and soul. In addition, they are encouraged to participate in the elements of living a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, meditation, finding balance and using self-help techniques for relieving stress and pain.

Opportunities to Receive Bodywork: Living with a person who has an addiction can be very challenging, causing pain and stress on many levels. Bodywork can ease pain and stress that has accumulated in the body as a result of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual triggers. It can help individuals let go of old, unhealthy patterns and make room for new patterns of healthy thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We strongly recommend that family members take advantage of this unique, holistic opportunity to heal and grow.

An Introduction to the 12-Step Program: Twelve-Step programs have long been an important part of the recovery process and the foundation for many recovery programs. Serving people for over 65 years, 12-Step programs provide simple tools for living based on a set of principles and a reliance on the fellowship generated by people who share the same experiences, while offering their support as part of a lifelong process of recovery. Our family program seeks to introduce family members to this network of support that has helped millions of people throughout its history.