The Family Program showed me how much I have to gain from taking emotional risks; how much I have to gain by stepping out from behind the walls of planning and self-protection; how much I have to gain by facing the disease and how it affects me. Through all of this I found pieces of myself, my spirit was rejuvenated and my relationship with my husband was renewed. In one single moment, we were new again, full of hope, possibility and love.ย
~ Family Program Participant
A Very Important Event Is Transpiring
Your Participation Will Be Requested at an Upcoming Family Program
Your presence will help establish the foundation of your loved oneโs recovery and for the long-term health of your whole family. You may approach our program with some anxiety and apprehension, especially if you have attended other family programs that were not beneficial or were unpleasant, however most family members report that they leave our Family Program with a sense of relief, renewed hope, and realistic expectations about recovery.
Please be aware that clients sometime experience a desire to shield family members from becoming involved in this experience. Please do not let your loved one make that decision! The clinical team has determined that it is important for you to attend.
About the Family Program
While visiting Burning Tree, all visitors must abide by posted guidelines and respect other clientsโ confidentiality.
Clients and visitors are prohibited from taking walks or otherwise isolating themselves from Burning Tree staff.
Burning Tree clients and visitors are not to demonstrate inappropriate public displays of affection.
All visitors are required to read our confidentiality statement.
All visitors must sign in and out of our guest book.
All visitors are required to wear name badges during all visitation periods.
Visitors are not permitted to enter into the dorms or client rooms.
Visitors are not permitted to enter into the dorms or client rooms.
Your Loved One May Experience:
- The temptation to build a โwallโ to protect him/herself from the treatment experience.
- The temptation to focus on what is wrong with other clients, staff, or the facility or to focus on family matters or any other outside concerns rather than deal with him/herself.
- Surprise to discover that others have similar feelings and understand how they feel.
- Stronger feelings, such as anger and loneliness, or may feel more hurt, more suicidal, or more out of control.
- A feeling of โbeing fixedโ which makes them want to leave treatment despite staff recommendations that they remain and complete the program.
- A tendency to feel guilt and shame, which causes them to vocalize a strong desire to repair the damage or to leave and immediately fix the problems they created in their addiction.
- A balanced perception of the damage of their addiction on themselves/others and a realistic understanding of the mechanism of recovery.
- A desire to shield you from becoming involved in the Family Program or from talking to the counseling staff.
What You May Experience:
- A tendency to keep secrets or avoid talking to staff regarding any relevant information regarding telephone/written communication with the client.
- A temptation to minimize family problems.
- Feelings of resentment toward the client being in treatment and you being left to deal with all outside issues and problems alone.
- Preoccupation with problems that easily could wait until treatment is completed.
- The belief that treatment for the client will magically fix all family problems.
- The desire to minimize the impact of the addiction on yourself or other family members.
- Resistance to attending recovery support groups for family members.
- A desire to shield the client from any bad news or problems for fear of โsetting them offโ.
- A continued manipulation by your client to meet his or her own self-centered needs.
- A sense of hope and optimism.
- A strong desire to do whatever it takes to get and keep the family and the client in recovery.