Families in Recovery Thru Education, Support & Hope (FRESH)

Addiction and Your Family

Addiction is a chronic disease that affects body, mind, and spirit. A person can become addicted or dependent to either substances (drugs, alcohol) or a pattern of behaviour (gambling, sex, the internet).

It can be characterised by the following:

• The addicted person continues his addictive behaviour despite knowing the consequences
• The frequency or intensity of the behaviour increases over time
• When the behaviour is stopped, the person experiences unpleasant feelings and emotions

Studies show that addiction affects at least 4 to 5 other people close to the person who has the problem, mainly family members. They often experience guilt, shame and other painful emotions as a result of the loved one’s addiction or dependence to substances or behaviour.

Do You Experience the Following?

• Feelings of guilt and fear over your loved one’s addiction
• Addiction becomes a source of conflict
• Feeling helpless because you’re unable to control your family member’s addiction
• Shield the addicted family member from responsibilities
• Feeling worn out emotionally, mentally and physically as a result of dealing with your family member’s addiction

Help for the Family

It is important for family members to understand the process of addiction and how they can best help their loved one during their treatment and recovery. In addition, they should not neglect care for themselves and other family members, especially children.
 

A FRESH Start

FRESH programme runs a series of 12 topics spanning 6 months, alternating with skills training and support service for family members in the addiction recovery process. In the programme family members will learn about the following:

• The diseases and disorders, discuss issues that have impacted them for many years and heal together.
• To identify problems that have had significant impact on the family system;
• To change attitudes and, ultimately, behaviours between family members and patients; and
• To clarify (to the family) the role of healthy support and eventually make sense of the confusion, hurt and misunderstanding.

FRESH is conducted on the following days :
Every Thursdays, 7.00 – 9.00 pm, NAMS Specialist Outpatient Clinic C (Block 9, Basement)
*except public holidays

All family members involved in the treatment and recovery process of an addicted person are encouraged to attend.

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