Now What?
What’s next? How does this work? What if it doesn’t work?
These are some of the most common questions that friends and family have once their loved one has begun treatment for an addiction. Often times, they don’t know who to ask or where to begin to get the support and answers that they need. Family group was developed as a starting point for family members to get this support. When clients begin treatment, they immediately have a connection to a large support network of counselors, psychiatrists, community resources, housing, medical care, and peer support. Family members often need similar support, but are not sure how to get it. Family group can be the first step towards change for the friends and family who have been affected by addiction.
Family group is held twice a week remotely, via Zoom (Wednesday from 6:00p-7:30p, and Saturday from 10:00a-11:30a). Each group accomplishes three main goals: education about addiction and treatment through the use of handouts and videos, time to share stories with other family members, and time to ask questions. Each group is led by a Harris House counselor. Sometimes speakers are brought in to share about where they found support in the St Louis community.
Topics Include
- Boundaries and Communication
- Al-Anon
- Aftercare Planning
- Stages of Recovery
- Addiction as a Disease
- Recovery and Sobriety
Topics rotate in such a way that family members can get all of the topics by coming Wednesday and Saturday for four weeks, just Wednesday for eight weeks, or just Saturday for eight weeks. Most family members come whenever they can, and choose the topics that seem to be the most helpful for them. Family group has an open door policy; once your loved one has spent any amount of time in Harris House programs, then family members are welcome to come to family group at any time.
