Help For Families Impacted By Addiction

When a family member is struggling with addiction, everyone suffers.

Everything the addict feels, the family feels: shame, guilt, fear, isolation, embarrassment. According to Irene Sherlock, LMFT and a How to Cope counselor, "People have no place to go with these feelings and they almost always feel they are the only one's going through it."

How to Cope provides a safe, supportive environment for family members to share some of these feelings and learn about the disease of addiction. This seven week course provides guidance and a road map for families to start the recovery process.

Launched in Ridgefield 18 months ago, over 90 families have benefited from How to Cope and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. 

How to Cope differs from Al-Anon in that there are seven focused sessions run by a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who specializes in treating addiction. Participants are given the support and skills to help them move forward in a positive direction. Setting and establishing boundaries is another key element of the program.

 “How to Cope put my son’s addiction in an understandable context and reminded us to think about and protect our own needs.” H.T., Wilton

When family members and friends begin to take charge and reconstruct their own lives, often the addicted person begins to seek help. For some families, participating in How to Cope proved to be a turning point for them and the family member who was dealing with addiction.

“I appreciate the continued support, understanding and feedback. Knowing that the decisions I make daily have been correct, even though I doubt myself at times. Thank you for everything!” S.P., Southport

When a family member or loved one is addicted, it puts tremendous stress on everyone. Adding to the stress, is the embarrassment and shame that often keeps people from seeking help. When families begin to understand that addiction is a disease, they are able to start the recovery process for themselves.

“How to Cope provided an opportunity for me to talk, listen and learn in a safe, comfortable environment. I finally felt like it wasn’t just my husband and I living with addiction.” J.P., Ridgefield

Because the groups are small and confidential, participants are free to open up and share with each other. For many, this is the first time they are able to talk about the pain and struggle of having an addicted family member.

The next sessions of How to Cope start on Thursday, February 13th at 6pm in Danbury and Monday, February 10th at 5:30pm in Ridgefield. The groups are small, private and confidential and meet in the evenings.

For Danbury groups, contact Irene Sherlock by email at: isherlock@mccaonline.com or call at (203) 792-4515, x 1219. For Ridgefield groups, contact Danielle Sileo by email at: dsileo@mccaonline.com or call at (914) 760-0019.

MCCAOnline.com.

Need-based financial assistance is available.