Utah Support for Families of Addicts and Alcoholics
Every week, in Utah, there are hundreds of individuals seeking treatment for addiction and alcoholism. Not all of these treatment programs, however, offer support for the families of these addicts. But whether a Utah addiction rehab center has a family program or not, Al-Anon programs can be a great support to all family members of addicts.
Al-Anon was developed for the purpose of benefiting family members of alcoholics and addicts by teaching healthy principles for how to handle living with an addict. They also offer the 12-step program for the family members.
Family members are affected by the loved one’s addiction. There is no question about that. But, often these individuals feel helpless to do anything about the suffering they experience. Family members can feel scared, overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted.
The Al-Anon program helps family members of addicts and alcoholics to learn to overcome their codependent (enabling) behaviors and start working on their own recovery. Addiction is a family disease and should be treated as such. The Al-Anon program recognizes this and empowers those who are affected by the users in their lives.
Alateen is a version of Al-Anon that is geared specifically towards adolescents struggling with a family member, usually a parent, involved in addiction. Using positive peer support and mentoring, this program helps teens feel that they are not alone and have the ability to make their own lives better.
Some Al-Anon programs target Adult Children of Alcoholics/Addicts (ACA). Many people carry the codependent traits they learned in their family of origin into their adult lives. After years of struggling, many find help and relief in the Al-Anon ACA program. They can meet with other adult children of addicts and feel uplifted by each other’s support and by working through the 12-steps.
The most important thing for family members of addicts to realize is that they need help too. Being able to focus on themselves can actually not only empower themselves, but may have some bearing on the success of their loved one in addiction recovery. Family members can get free guidance and needed understanding by attending Al-Anon programs.
For meetings and other information, the Utah Al-Anon phone number is 1(866)262-9587. The website, which offers detailed meeting information, is www.utah-alanon.org.
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Jestine Noller / 12 Apr 2011 / 5:25 pm
Tanisha Doescher / 29 May 2011 / 7:36 am
Ebony / 02 Jul 2011 / 1:27 pm