Shadow Mountain Family Program
The disease of addiction impacts the entire family, not just the addict or alcoholic, and the effects can be devastating. In the same way that the disease impacts the family system, the family can impact the recovery of the loved one getting sober. Shadow Mountain recognizes the vital role the family’s involvement plays in helping their young man journey the path of recovery. It is essential for the young man to work his own program, which facilitates continued recovery while the family works their program learning how to take responsibility for their own health and happiness. Our commitment to the family is not simply to keep them engaged in the treatment process, but also to educate, empower and guide them by way of the Family Assessment and the Family Workshop. Remember, you didn’t cause the addiction, you certainly can’t control the addiction, and there is no cure for the addiction. It is, however, possible to learn healthy ways of coping with addiction and relationships.
Recovery is not a one size fits all approach. Every family brings their own unique experiences and needs with them into treatment. Shadow Mountain is able to treat each family based on their particular experiences in a highly individualized manner. We provide this service because we choose to remain a small program, with no more than 15 – 20 young men here at a time.
Family Assessment
Upon entry into the program, the Shadow Mountain experience begins with the Family Assessment. This assessment is conducted by our clinical director and is designed to acquire an understanding of the family dynamics in order to create an individualized family treatment plan. This individual family treatment plan will look at what information the family brings about the client and the family system, what the family understands about the process of treatment and recovery, what the family hopes to accomplish by their participation in the Shadow Mountain program, what education can be provided and recommended for family members, and what support and resources do the family members need as they go forward.
Many times families know that a loved one is in trouble, but they do not even know where to begin to find help. If your family or loved one has not undergone an initial or primary treatment experience, please see the link on our Admissions Page to see how our Family Evaluation may be able to help you take this first step.
Family Involvement
The family will receive weekly phone calls from their son as well as a weekly phone call as clinically appropriate from their son’s therapist. Immediate and extended family members are able to correspond via letters during their loved one’s stay at Shadow Mountain. Letters, calls, and input from family will help round out the total care of the client and his family.
Family Workshop
At two and a half months into the 90 day program, the family reconvenes for a 2 day family workshop conducted by a consulting therapist who specializes in family systems and dynamics. The goal of this workshop is to provide the opportunity for family members and the client to practice honest and compassionate communication with each other through a directed, specific format facilitated by our therapist. The type of communication will provide more disclosure of behaviors that have been problematic and the opportunity to look at new behaviors that can contribute to a more healthy recovery for all family members. This is a powerful experience for all involved. After the workshop, clients and their families will join for a family meal with the community at Shadow Mountain.
“In the beginning, many of us are genuinely concerned and merely want to help a relative or friend who is not well. But as time passes and the situation worsens, we cease to recognize that we have a choice in the matter… Unless we friends and relatives choose recovery for ourselves, the dynamics of the disease will continue to dominant our relationships.”
-How Al-anon Works, pg. 27 & 30