Recovery & the Family: Extending Treatment to Everyone

Airs: August 7, 2008 1-2pm EDT

Sponsor(s): CSAT

Nearly 24 percent of children (or 17 million) live in a household where a parent or other adult is a binge or heavy drinker, and approximately 13 percent of children (or 9.2 million) live in a household where a parent or other adult uses illicit drugs. Because the negative effects of addiction are not limited to the individual who is abusing drugs and alcohol, recovery must extend to the entire family. Aside from the many options available to persons in need of treatment, support also exists for children, spouses, and others affected by a family members addiction. This program will present the many avenues toward effective treatment, emphasize the importance of getting an addicted loved one into treatment, and celebrate the benefits enjoyed by the family in recovery. 

Key Questions:

• How prevalent is substance abuse in the family?
• How does ones substance abuse have an effect on family members?
• What can family members do to assist a loved one suffering from a substance use disorder?
• Why is treatment for one important for the entire family?
• How does treatment for one benefit the entire family?
• How can family members assist a loved one currently in or needing treatment?
• What kinds of opportunities does Recovery Month present for the family to come together in the face of addiction?

Host:  Ivette Torres, Associate Director for Consumer Affairs, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Panelists: Nicolette Stephens, WSO Information Analyst, Al-Anon Family Groups; Lorna Hogan, Associate Director, The Rebecca Project For Human Rights, Roxanne Fuentes, Division Director, Park Heights for Gaudenzia Inc., and Steve Hornberger, Program Director, National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA).

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