Addiction hurts everyone, because it affects anyone it touches.
As well as ravaging the life of an addicted individual, it has a devastating impact on that person’s family members. Spouses break apart. Children become estranged from their parents.
Addiction isolates. As treatment leads to healing, so it brings hope that it can restore connections and trust.
“When families are involved, they can play an important role in the treatment process,” says Barb Metcalfe, director of family programs at Orchard Recovery Center on Bowen Island since 2009.
“Our role is to help families understand addiction better,” she says, noting that regular weekly seminars on such topics as “Addiction: a family disease” or rebuilding trust help educate those in treatment on the impact and ripple effect of addiction. Family members are also invited to be part of group sessions with clients.
“It is really hard for someone who has not experienced addiction themselves to understand it fully,” she adds. “And it is common for someone with addiction not to recognize fully how deeply it affects their family members and how frightened they may feel.”
She points out that while clients often begin healing as soon as they enter residential treatment at the Orchard, their families may still feel emotionally frozen in the worry and uncertainty that existed before their loved one took that first step toward recovery.
“They feel relieved because they know where their loved ones are, but they are still anxious and remain emotionally on edge,” says Metcalfe. “Clients have to be mindful that it is an ongoing process for their loved ones too, and that trust takes time to rebuild. Consistency and follow-through matter.
“Part of the education program is helping both clients and families understand that recovery continues beyond residential treatment. It often means walking a fine line between being honest that setbacks can occur, without seeing them as a failure. When challenges arise, they don’t erase progress. Clients and families can pause, re-ground and find their footing again.
“While residential treatment has an end point, the Orchard stays connected with alumni,” she says. “Daily morning check-ins, alumni gatherings, on-site events and recovery coach followups help our alumni stay connected as they move forward in their lives.
“Clients and families can always reach out,” says Metcalfe, noting that she is available for one-on-one sessions or couples counselling when required. “It’s gratifying to see people and their families get their lives back.”
For more information on Orchard Recovery Center, visit www.orchardrecovery.com.
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Orchard Recovery Center.