Journey Healing Centers Family Action Plan for Alcoholism Reduces Relapses
Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) May 12, 2010
Nearly 14 million Americans – 1 in 13 adults – are abusing alcohol, yet only 25% of those who deserve treatment get help, according to the NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). To stop this escalating problem and reduce relapses, Journey Healing Centers (http://journeyrecoverycenters.com) releases a Family Action Plan for Alcoholism that has been proven to increase chances of long-term sobriety. By 2020, it is expected that the number of seniors with alcohol and other drug problems will leap 150 percent to 4.4 million older people lead by the baby boomers (New York Times), which magnifies the urgency for families to take action now.
Josh Lannon, CEO of Journey Healing Centers and sober for 9 years, explains, “Addicts and alcoholics don’t like what they’re doing. The behaviors, the choices, the craziness that goes along with drinking and using drugs, but they don’t know how to stop.” Families need to intervene to save relationships and lives. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there are approximately 79,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. This Family Action Plan for Alcoholism includes family therapy and free Aftercare for life to help loved ones get and stay sober.
1. Address the Behavior -“If a family member or loved one is resistant to looking at their drug and alcohol problem, sit down and confront head-on what you see in their behavior and how it effects you. It’s a confrontation, but it’s done in a loving healing way, and see if that person is open to treatment,” explains Aubrey Barrow, Journey Healing Centers Admissions Director. Be specific about behavior issues to raise awareness and the urgency to get help.
2. Set Boundaries – Families can’t force the alcoholic into treatment or counseling, but there are ways to help an alcoholic by setting boundaries. Lisa Lannon, Co-Founder of Journey Healing Centers, explains,” If they say they can stop on their own, set boundaries that you know that you can abide by. Boundaries are very very important if someone is not willing to go into treatment.” Boundaries might include cutting off funds to stop supporting their habit, not allowing alcohol in the home or even giving an ultimatum. If a family continues the same behavior, it will only enable the addict’s drinking problem. Setting boundaries can help the alcoholic break bad habits.
3. Provide Family Support for Treatment – If the alcoholic is concerned about taking time off for treatment, remind them how much time is invested in repairing relationships at work and home damaged by their addiction. “This disease is a family disease that affects everyone involved with the addict. The research is conclusive that the more family involvement, the less risk there is of someone relapsing and their chances increase for long-term sobriety,” explains Chuck Fenigstein, Clinical Director. Family support is an important part of the process at Journey Healing Centers (http://journeyrecoverycenters.com) where family members go to therapy once a week with the alcoholic and have free Aftercare for life so they can heal together and stay sober.
Family Healing Story for Addiction Video – Josh and Lisa Lannon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieBdzlMlhiM
Background:
Journey Healing Centers operates drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Arizona and Utah, and has been featured on MTV’s Gone Too Far, PBS, ABC News 15 Phoenix, ABC 4 Salt Lake City, USAToday.com and in People Magazine. Journey Healing Centers has supported thousands dealing with addictions through Residential Programs, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Sober Living Homes, Aftercare and a Free 24-Hour Hotline with Addiction Specialists: 1-866-774-5119. http://journeyrecoverycenters.com
Media Contact:
Liz Brown
Journey Healing Centers
310-795-1485
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