Friends & Relatives

Having a friend or family member enter treatment for an addictive illness is just the beginning of the painful road towards recovery. Often you may not realise how you have been affected by your friend/relative until finally the pressure of coping with them on a day to day basis has been removed. An overwhelming mixture of emotions - relieved that they have sought help, angry that you have been left to cope without them, afraid of what will happen to them during and after their stay in treatment and probably a bit sad and lost without them - may all be stirred. You may be unprepared for the impact of all this emotion and you may need help and support yourself through these difficult months. As a treatment provider we have to put your relative/friend's needs first, and due to confidentiality requirements we may not be able to discuss any details of a clients' treatment with you. This can appear harsh to a worried person trying to find out how their loved one is doing

There are bodies and groups you can contact such as AL Anon (for people affected by alcoholism) help-line number 020 7403 0888 (10am-10pm Daily), website www.al-anonuk.org.uk, or Families Anonymous (for people affected by drug addiction) help-line number 0845 1200 660 website www.famanon.org.uk. Both of these organisations work specifically for family members and have meetings nationwide.

During the first week in treatment, the new resident will not be allowed to make or receive telephone calls or visits, although they can call to let you know they have arrived safely, this is to help the settling-in process. After the first week you can contact the resident on the residents' telephone after 5.00 pm during the week or at weekends.

You can help in the resident's treatment in various ways:

• Contacting the counselling staff whenever you have a question about the resident or the treatment he/she is receiving.
• Giving us information about your friend or relative that will help him (or her) to understand the consequences of the illness from which he or she is suffering. (We will always ask the resident for permission to obtain this information before we approach you).
• Accepting an invitation to a family conference at which you, the resident and the staff can discuss the effect the illness has had on the whole family.
• Keeping in contact with your friend or family member by letter or by telephone.