Our holistic approach to alcohol and drug addiction treatment chooses not to focus solely on young people with substance use disorders, but also the people who love them the most: their parents. Parents are often so focused on the needs of their child that they forget to address how the addiction is affecting them. We view our weekly support groups for families of addicts or substance abusers as a vital part of the treatment process.
We say “families” of addicts or substance abusers simply because this meeting is designed to help those who are in a parental role with the young people we work with. Most of the time, this means their parents, but sometimes it is grandparents or other family members.
What to Expect from Our Support Groups for Families of Addicts
Maybe you simply suspect your child is using, or maybe you know for sure. Sometimes family members of people using drugs or alcohol may have been trying unsuccessfully for years to help their child sober up. In all cases, the parents we meet feel as though they are at their wits’ end. Our parent support group will help you address your nagging questions and find hope. Through our parent meetings, many parents have learned:
- Why your appeals to logic seem to fall on deaf ears – how the disease of addiction hijacks the brain.
- Simple, practical tools to establish boundaries in your home without having to feel like a tyrant.
- Learn when it is appropriate to re-establish trust in your broken relationship with your child.
- How to support your child’s growth without compromising your own morals.
- How to establish logical consequences and follow through without second guessing yourself constantly.
- How to develop reasonable expectations for what to expect from your child at various points in the recovery process – and how to respond.
Taking a Look at the Entire Family
One of the greatest lies that every drug abuser tells themselves is, “I’m only hurting myself.” The reality is that drug abuse and / or addiction is extremely hard on everyone in the user’s life, especially their parents and siblings. Ask yourself:
- Do you feel as though you’ve been keeping a terrible secret from your family or friends?
- Have you had to lock up valuables or car keys to keep them from being stolen?
- Have you lost sleep wondering if your son or daughter will make it home?
- Have you found yourself being distracted at work by the constant thought of your loved one being in danger?
- Do you wonder how your loving child became so angry, disconnected, and dishonest?
- Have you confided in family members or friends, only to find out that they don’t seem to know what to do any more than you do?
- Do you constantly feel angry, ashamed, or embarrassed?
You are not alone. Many times parents and siblings end up isolated, depressed, rageful, and dealing with physical or mental health problems of their own stemming from a loved one’s addiction. Our support group for families of addicts and substance abusers has two main purposes:
- To provide answers to the questions you’ve been asking yourself – how can help I save my child from a life of drug abuse?
- To provide you with an outlet to begin addressing your own grief, pain, doubts, or isolation.
Parent Support Group Meeting Details
The Cornerstone Program’s support group for parents of drug users each week in the evening (7:30 PM) simultaneously with one of the 12-step drug abuse support group meetings for young people. The meetings are private, and are an “open discussion” format – meaning that you do not have to share if you don’t want to. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to try out a meeting before making any type of commitment. They do not cost anything extra – they are included in the cost of the IOP program and are available to parents free of charge during the Aftercare process and for up to 2.5 years after the treatment process ends.
Our support group for parents meets on Thursday evenings at the same time as our 12-step meeting for young people. Details of the weekend’s sober social activities are announced weekly at the Thursday night parent support group meetings.
The Importance of Parental Involvement in Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Parents may deal with a number of issues. Oftentimes parents are so focused on the child’s drug use that they don’t realize how angry or depressed they are until after the child starts getting better. Other common issues include: secretly blaming themselves, parental denial, or fear of being exposed. Perhaps some of these issues describe you, and perhaps not. Either way, we recognize that the person addicted to drugs or alcohol is not the only person impacted. This is especially true of young people, whose parents are often still very involved in their day-to-day lives. Not only do we see young people’s success rates in treatment (and long-term recovery) improve dramatically with parental involvement, we believe that healing strained family relationships should be one of the primary goals of drug and alcohol treatment for young people.
Read success stories from parents who have participated in our parent support group.
Learn More About Our Denver Support Groups for Families of Addicts
We understand that seeking drug and alcohol rehab for your child can be overwhelming and that each situation is unique. Our trained staff is available to answer your questions and further explain the support groups, treatment programs, and services we provide. If your child is struggling with addiction, please contact our rehab center in Denver or call (303) 690-0082 to schedule a consultation.