The affect addiction has on family members and the program to help.

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Treatment

Family Program

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Problems Affecting Family Members

Co-dependency is the term we use to define the behaviors which develop in family members or significant others as a reaction to living in an addictive family system. Co dependency may result in the manifestations of a number of mental health problems such as depression, dependent personality disorder, and post traumatic stress syndrome. The co-dependent may be currently living in or have grown up in an addictive system. Co-dependency makes life a difficult, painful experience.

One of the most common patterns of co-dependency occurs when co-dependents become obsessed with changing or controlling the behavior of the addicted person. It causes them to become ineffectual in managing their own lives. They suffer many symptoms such as low self-esteem, no self-identity, self-pity, sleeplessness, chronic depression and general loss of self-control.

Another pattern occurs when a child grows up in an addictive family system. The unhealthy feelings, behaviors and problems from the past have a way of being carried forward into the life of the “adult child.”

The stress of living with the pain of co-dependency leads to physical and emotional breakdown. There is help available to encourage change to a healthy self-image, clear communication with others, intimacy skills, a healthy value system, and the chance to trust and live in a loving, nurturing way.

Family Program

Since the family members and significant others often are significantly impacted by the disease of chemical dependency/addiction, an intensive program of family education and therapy is an essential part of the Rocky Mountain program. This is also a key component in setting up a support system for ongoing recovery.

Family members become a large part of the support system so necessary for continuing recovery. Therefore, we expect all family members, including children twelve years and older, and significant others to participate in a two and half day series of films, lectures, and group sessions.

This time is designed to help the participants understand addiction and to encourage them to be a part of the recovery process.