What happens after the addict agrees to admit to a treatment center? Does the intervention team quietly disperse, wait for the addict to complete treatment and hope all goes well?

The answer is a resounding “NO”. Many (hopefully all) drug and alcohol counselors agree that treatment for the family is just as important for them as it is the addict. I’ve heard some counselors say that the effectiveness of drug and alcohol addiction treatment is severly diminished unless the family receives some level of counseling to help them with their issues and behavior that acted in concert with the addict.

The good news is that many drug and alcohol treatment centers offer family programs to help the friends and family members who have suffered along with the addict. If you are thinking about organizing an intervention, and you are in the process of selecting a drug and alcohol treatment center, one of the questions you should ask of the prospective facility is whether they offer such a program.

Some of the topics of discussion in family programs at treatment centers might include basic education regarding addiction to drugs and alcohol, suggestions on how to support your loved one as they progress through treatment and beyond, counseling (on a variety of levels including relationship issues, grief/trauma, etc.) and the establishment of healthy boundaries.

Enabling and co-dependency appear quite frequently in the life of an addict. There always seems to be one or more friends or family members that pretend the addiction doesn’t exist or deny that it is a problem. Oftentimes a spouse or parent repeatedly bails the addict out of jail, makes excuses for missed work or social engagements and supplies a never ending stream of money to support their loved one that ultimately winds up fueling the addiction. This behavior, though well intentioned, does little to help the addict and, in fact, perpetuates the disease.

Drug and alcohol treatment centers are not the only places the family can get help. Al-Anon is an excellent organization available to friends and family members. At an Al-Anon meeting the family will receive invaluable support from people who, more than likely, have been through similar experiences and can be helpful with the formulation of healthy boundaries. Al-Anon meetings are held throughout the nation and depending on the size of the city you live in, there may be dozens of meetings available during the week within a quick drive from your house. And, it’s free.

If the family has available financial resources, a private family therapist is an excellent opportunity for families to help themselves through their own recovery. Oftentimes healthy boundaries need to be established to guide and protect the family regardless if the addict maintains a healthy lifestyle or not.

The important thing is that families must recognize that addiction is a family disease and recovery is needed for both the addict and the friends and family members. Recovery is rarely an easy process, but, with support, it is attainable and well worth the investment in time and money.

For more information on family interventions, visit stevenlodgeinterventions.com.