The NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals) annual conference in Washington DC this year was amazing! I was able to present on “The Family in Early Recovery: The Pitfalls & Hazards, an In-depth look.” The room was at max capacity as I began with some experiential exercises followed by an interactive discussion about how the family can either hinder or support recovery and the necessary change required. Quoted from Dr. Mike Barnes, “Faced with change the family has but two options… accommodate the change or resist the change.” Families that resist the change, whether consciously or subconsciously, are able to sabotage recovery. Armed with this knowledge, the newly sober individual as well as the family system can address their behaviors and processes that could create a pitfall or hazard to recovery and the change required. The conference theme suggested we cannot forget about the family and I believe the family is a key component to success in recovery. We, as providers, always need to do more; we need to find new and innovated ways to address this historical and complex issue… we owe it to those we serve.
Oyen Hoffman, MA, LMFT, LAC, MAC
Jaywalker Lodge Program Supervisor
