Family Disease

Addiction is a family disease that stresses the family to the breaking point, impacts the stability of the home, the family's unity, mental health, physical health, finances, and overall family dynamics. Living with addiction can put family members under unusual stress. Normal routines are constantly being interrupted by unexpected or even frightening kinds of experiences that are part of living with alcohol and drug use. What is being said often doesn’t match up with what family members sense, feel beneath the surface or see right in front of their eyes. The alcohol or drug user as well as family members…
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Intervention – Tips and Guidelines

What is an intervention?   Intervention is a professionally directed, education process resulting in a face to face meeting of family members, friends and/or employer with the person in trouble with alcohol or drugs. People who struggle with addiction are often in denial about their situation and unwilling to seek treatment. They may not recognize the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others. Intervention helps the person make the connection between their use of alcohol and drugs and the problems in their life. The goal of intervention is to present the alcohol or drug user with a structured opportunity to accept help and…
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Helping a Family Member or Friend

Helping a loved one struggling with alcoholism or drug dependence can be heartbreakingly painful, but with help, it can be remarkably rewarding.  At times, it can seem so overwhelming that it would be easier to ignore it, pretend that nothing is wrong and hope it just goes away.  But in the long run, denying it or minimizing it, will be more damaging to you, other family members, and the person you are concerned about.  Don’t Wait, Now Is The Time. Alcoholism and drug dependence are complex problems, with many related issues. And, although there is no magic formula to help…
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Ten Tips for Prevention for Parents

Recent scientific research has found that the longer an individual postpones the onset (first use) of alcohol, tobacco or other drug use, the less likely the individual is to develop an addiction or other substance use problem later in life. And believe it or not, parents are the most powerful influence on their kids when it comes to alcohol and drugs. Recent research has found that 2 out of 3 kids ages 13-17 say that losing their parents' respect is one of the main reasons they don't drink alcohol, smoke marijuana or use other drugs. So, as a parent, what…
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Talking With Children

Unfortunately, no matter what you do to help your kids grow up alcohol and drug-free and avoid getting into trouble with alcohol or drugs, one day you may find that your son or daughter is in trouble. Maybe you found alcohol or drugs in the car, in their bedroom or some evidence of drugs in their clothes when you are doing laundry. Maybe you got a phone call from another parent, from school or even from one of their friends. Maybe you haven’t found anything but you have seen the changes.  Or, maybe you overheard a conversation, saw an e-mail…
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