Intervention / Family Treatment

Family and close friends of those suffering from alcoholism and drug abuse often become painfully caught up in the illness themselves.

The lives of partners, parents, siblings, and close friends may be consumed by efforts to control the chemically dependent persons unpredictable behavior and to cope with its consequences. Fear, frustration, and anger frequently give way to feelings of hopelessness and a sense of helplessness. Family members may begin to question their own self worth and their ability to control their own lives.

Treatment of significant others who are dealing with a substance abuser is aimed at intervening in the downward emotional spiral. Care givers (those who over function to compensate for the under-functioning of the substance abuser are helped to find ways of taking better care of themselves). Intervention options may also be examined to get the chemically addicted relative the help that he or she needs.