Family Program Schedule
The weekend Family Program is educational in nature. Family Program begins promptly at 8:30 each morning
Orientation and Introductions
The Disease of Chemical Dependency
The disease of chemical dependency is defined. A video on the neurobiology of addiction is shown. Participants gain insight into the impact that mood altering, addictive chemicals can have on the brain.
Spirituality
The role of spirituality in recovery is explained. Participants are given an opportunity to discover how spirituality can help them find hope and recover.
Friday Afternoon, 1:15 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Chemical Dependency: Symptoms and Progression
The symptoms and progression of chemical dependency are explained.
Introduction to the Family Disease: Symptoms and Progression
The concept of the family disease is introduced. The group explores the many behaviors and dynamics that can exist in families affected by chemical dependency. The day ends by looking at how family members can recover.
Saturday Morning, 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Meditation and Process
The morning begins with a reading from a meditation book and group discussion about material introduced the previous day.
Aspects of the Family Disease
Common reactions that family members experience in trying to cope with the pain of loving someone who is chemically dependent are identified. Group members are given the opportunity to share personal examples of how they tried to deal with their loved one’s problem. These reactions are viewed as a normal response of the family disease.
Recovery Skills for Family Members
Recovery for family members is introduced. The recovery process involves finding and developing safe places, developing and maintaining the ability to choose the focus and dealing with unresolved feelings from the past.
Saturday Afternoon, 1:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Family Issues: Open Discussion
Group members are given the opportunity to discuss topics of personal interest to them.
Relapse Education
Group members are given information about the process of relapse for the disease of chemical dependency and for the family disease.
Sunday Morning, 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Meditation and Process
The morning begins with a reading from a meditation book and group discussion about material introduced the previous day.
Family Systems
Group members are given information about how family systems, especially children, are impacted by chemical dependency. The adjustments and changes that family members make as the disease progresses, are discussed.
Family Roles
When family systems deal with a chronic stressor, family members begin to adopt roles in an attempt to deal with stress or pain. Common roles that family members adopt are reviewed. Participants are given information about the changes that family systems can make in order to develop healthier relationships.
Sunday Afternoon, 1:15 p.m. – 3 p.m.
12 Step Fellowships for Loved Ones
12-Step meetings for family members are introduced and explained. The group discusses the purpose of 12-Step meetings, the different types of meetings, sponsorship, literature and how 12 Step recovery works. Other resources for family members are provided.
Commencement
Group members are given an opportunity for closure with one another and each participant is given a medallion upon completion of the program.
Visitation, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Other topics that are addressed in the Family Program include:
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Relapse
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Spirituality
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Difference between an open and closed family system
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Roles that family members use to cope with the pain being in a family system affected by chemical dependency
