Empowering Friends and Family Program

Addiction affects not only the individual but also the family members and significant others. A loved one’s defense against the emotional impact of addiction is to gain knowledge and discover how attitude and behaviors can hinder their own recovery.

The Empowering Friends and Family is a 3-day educational workshop that teaches people how to cope with the impact of living with addict, build healthy relationships, and start the healing of dealing with a loved one who has an addiction. Workshop educational classes include: what is addiction, how does it impact the family system (denial, guilt and shame, roles that one plays in a relationship); discovering feelings and needs; co-dependency; stress management; and how to make a recovery plan (which will include resource referral and options such as Al-Alon, Alateen, Adult Children of Alcoholics and Co-Dependents Anonymous. A daily journal will be kept during the 4-day program. This educational workshop is open to all people who have a loved one that has an addiction. This is focused more for chemically dependent people, however open to anyone who is dealing with someone with an addiction. The focus is also not only to educate but give loved ones a chance to find a support network for themselves and start their own self-care.

Empowering Friends and Family Information and Referral Program is not considered a structured program and is open to 18+ adults in the SOFA community. This program will provide information concerning addiction and any individual information a family or loved one may need. This is geared for people who are not ready to commit to a four-day program, but willing to gain tools needed in their own recovery. Other programs such as prevention, including community educational classes, community events, and alumni program (peer to peer) can fall under the Information and Referral Program.