FAMILY........... THE BIGGEST SUPPORT.

Family--   It is the best support system  that any individual has.. 


           Have  a look  at this video .. words are  not  needed...
  

    

Family members play an important role in supporting the recovery of individuals with co-occurring disorders. When family members are educated about co-occurring disorders, they are better able to identify symptoms, recognize warning signs of relapse, support treatment goals, and promote recovery.

Families also need support

Family members of individuals with co-occurring disorders often experience significant physical, emotional, social and spiritual stress when a loved one is suffering from a co-occurring disorder. In addition, many families report that their interactions with substance abuse treatment and mental health systems are an additional source of stress.

Supporting families helps to minimize stress and can empower them to more effectively support treatment and recovery for the individual with co-occurring disorders. Research shows that recovery outcomes improve if families receive information and support.

For our purposes, family is defined as anyone who is supportive of the individual's recovery process. This may be a relative or it may be friend, employer, colleague, counselor, or other supportive person.

Family Psychoeducation

Family Psychoeducation is a structured approach for partnering with consumers and families to support recovery. Consumers and families receive information about mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders and learn problem-solving, communication, and coping skills.

Family Psychoeducation is carried out by mental health practitioners and lasts for at least nine months. Since it is conducted as part of the treatment plan, family engagement in this service requires consumer consent. It may be provided in a multi-family or single-family format. When provided in the multifamily group format, ongoing sessions also help consumers and families develop social supports.

The primary focus of Family Psychoeducation is on improving consumer outcomes, however it also has been shown to have beneficial effects for families as well. Outcomes include:

• Fewer consumer relapses and hospitalizations
• Increased consumer participation in vocational rehabilitation programs
• Improved family well-being
• Greater family knowledge of mental illnesses
• Fewer feelings of stress and isolation
• Reduced medical illnesses and use of medical care of families..