Family Education Program

Fifty percent of American lives are impacted by the addiction of a family member

When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the disease affects the entire family. They need information and support and the Family Education Program is a place for them to turn. The program helps individuals and families recognize and address addiction problems in a spouse, parent, child or a loved one.

Facilitated by trained volunteers who have been on the same journey, this information and education-support program gives the participants the tools they need to address addiction in the family constructively and begin their own process of healing and recovery. The program includes 3 two-hour sessions spread over three weeks and covers the following topics, including ample time for discussion:

- Week I: Understanding Addiction

• Addiction Defined
• Characteristics of people at risk for alcohol and drug addiction
• Common myths about alcohol and drug use
• Dopamine's effect on the brain
• The brain does recover
• Recovery defined
• Many pathways to recovery

- Week 2: Understanding the Impact on the Family

• Family Recovery management
• Enabling and why we do it
• Enabling questionnaire
• Changing behavior
• Changing fmaily scripts behavioral exercise
• Responsible for myself
• Letting go
• The 12 rewards of family recovery

- Week 3: Developing Your Next Steps

• Changing behavior recap
• Empowering a loved one to seek recovery
• Intervention
• Basis for effective recovery 
• Continuum of care
• Health coverage:  Act 106 and Parity
• Safety planning
• Support networks
• Suggest books and other media

There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. To register call weekdays 9am through 5pm, 800-221-6333 or register online.   

PRO-ACT launched its first Family Program in 2001 in Bucks County. The group has served over 3,000 families throughout Southeast Pennsylvania. There are four locations-  Malvern, Media, Pennsburg and Perkasie. If you are interested in training to be a volunteer facilitator call us at 1-800-221-6333.