Alcohol & Drug Rehab Programs & Services

THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAMS & SERVICES

INTRODUCTION

We understand the important role relationships have in successful treatment outcomes. As family members and partners of our male clients, you are part of the solution. Our services, however, are not just designed to help your loved one. We are also here to assist you in your efforts to find your own peace.

Family Program

The Family Program is of essential benefit to loved ones of people with addictions so that they can learn about addiction, understand the impact of addiction on their relationships, begin the process of healing from emotional burn-out, and focus on how to prepare for life after their loved one completes residential treatment. The atmosphere of the Family Program is a supportive environment whereby family members and partners learn how to begin their journeys of healing. Individuals do not have to share close personal details if they do not want to and they will not be labeled or told that they have a dysfunction themselves.

Family Program facilitators provide concrete skills and information that will help group members build on their own existing strengths while also providing them with a roadmap for the healing journey ahead. The overall tone of the family program is upbeat and positive.

Couples Program

During the Couples Program, the challenges of rebuilding relationships impacted by addiction are discussed, specifically, reestablishing intimacy and communication, as well as overcoming obstacles in the relationship rebuilding process. The opportunity for participants in the Couples Program is to examine old patterns and find ways of changing them prior to returning home together.

WHY WE HAVE THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

In our experience, we find that loved ones who attend the Family & Couples Program have a significant advantage over others who do not attend some form of family or marital therapy. By changing the family dynamic at home, clients are better equipped for the challenge of maintaining positive change achieved during treatment.

Why We Added the Couples Program

Sunshine Coast Health Center originally had just the Family Program. However, spouses and partners in the Family Program would often request separate counselling dedicated exclusively to marital issues. The program has grown and taken on a life of its own to the point where word-of-mouth between clients is all that it takes to fill available seats in the Couples Program.

HOW THE COUPLES PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT FROM THE FAMILY PROGRAM

One important difference between the Family Program and Couples Program is the participation of the addicted family member. Men in the Residential Program join their partners in the Couples Program while no such arrangement is made in the Family Program.

Family members and partners often share overlapping issues in the healing journey, but there are also more specific issues that often relate to couples who have been impacted by addiction. For example, partners of people with addictions often feel that they have experienced a profound betrayal of some sort since they believe that addicted individuals have "chosen" alcohol or drugs over relationship. Therefore an important starting point in the couple's journey to healing is learning how to overcome resentment while also rebuilding trust in the relationship.

Finally, the Family Program is offered on the first 3 days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) while the Couples Program is offered on the 4th day (Monday).

Prerequisite: participants in the Couples Program must first complete the Family Program.

RESEARCH SUPPORTS COMBINING COUPLES (OR MARITAL) THERAPY WITH ADDICTION TREATMENT

Couples therapy (also known as marital therapy) has been called "the most notable current advance in the area of psychotherapy of alcoholism" ¹ and the effectiveness of working with both the client and partner is backed by research. Research has shown that positive change in marriages is associated with better alcoholism treatment outcomes at follow-up ².

The difficulty for many marital therapists and couples counselors is establishing abstinence before meaningful therapy can begin. O'Farrell ³ viewed abstinence as a prerequisite for participation in marital therapy. At Sunshine Coast, our work with couples is enhanced by having our clients maintain abstinence during their stay.

(1) Source: Keller, M. (Ed.), (1974). Trends in treatment of alcoholism. Special report to the US Congress on alcohol and health (pp. 145-167). Washington, DC: Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

(2) Source: Moos, R.H., Finney, J.W. & Cronkite, R.C. (1990). Alcoholism treatment: Context, process, and outcome. New York: Oxford University Press.

(3) Source: O'Farrell, T.J. (1993). A behavioral marital therapy couples group program for alcoholics and their spouses. In T.J. O'Farrell (Ed.), Treating alcohol problems (pp. 170-209). New York: Guilford Press.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

We start Friday morning with registration and continental breakfast at 7:45 AM. Programming begins promptly at 8:30 AM and ends at 4 PM ¹. Time will be allotted for breaks, snacks and meals, as well as recreation and visiting with friends or family members in the residential program. Participants are not able to take only a portion or parts of the program since the information provided builds in a progressive way.

Family members should plan on participating in the Family Program until Sunday 4:00 PM (an afternoon snack will be provided Sunday). Spouses and partners should plan on staying an additional day for the Couples Program that will complete Monday 4:00 PM. Registrants will be provided a detailed schedule upon arrival Friday morning.

(1) Note: ending times posted are approximations. Please allow for some flexibility as this is a group process.

Day One (Friday): "Understanding Addiction"

7:50am: Renewal Centre Opens

 7:50-8:30am: Coffee, Tea, and Continental Breakfast Available To Interested Participants
8:30am: Group Starts

 08:30 am:   Group Starts

 8:45am: Housekeeping and Group Introductions

            Exercise and Group Discussion: "Why We Are Here And What We Have In
                                                                        Common"

            (Suggested Readings From "How Al-Anon Works", p. 35-36; p.10-11)

BREAK

10:15am: Understanding The Grips of Addiction
           
            (Lecture On Addiction And Discussion)

12:15 pm: Lunch

 1:15pm: Understanding The Mental Mismanagement Of Addiction

BREAK

2:30pm: Wrap Up Exercise And Closing For The Day

3:00 or 3:30pm: Self-Directed Time/Visiting

Day Two (Saturday): "Understanding The Impact Of Addictions On Relationships"

7:50am: Renewal Centre Opens

7:50-8:30am: Coffee, Tea, and Continental Breakfast Available To Interested Participants

8:30am: Group Starts

8:30am: Check-In and Morning Introductions

9:00am: The Impact Of Addiction On Relationships

            (Lecture and Discussion)

BREAK

11:00am: Understanding Addiction As A Dance That the Entire Family Participates In

            Video Clip- Scene From "Rachael Getting Married"

11:30-12:15: Dance Exercise

LUNCH 12:15pm

1:15 pm: Reflection On The Dance Exercise And The Journey To Healing

BREAK

2:15pm: Understanding The Impact Of Addictions On The Entire Family

3:00pm: Wrap-Up/Closing

3:30pm: Self-Directed Time/Visiting

Day Three (Sunday): "Understanding The Impact Of Addictions On Relationships"

7:50am: Renewal Centre Opens

7:50-8:30am: Coffee, Tea, and Continental Breakfast Available To Interested Participants

8:30am: Group Starts

8:30am: Check-In and Morning Introductions

9:00am: Dealing With The Fear Of Relapse

            (Lecture and Discussion)

10:30am: Feedback and Closing

11:00am: BRUNCH(Clients join Family Program participants)

12:15: Family and Clients Workshop On the Impact Of Addiction On Relationships

            *Clients with participating family members in family program are asked to attend
            family program group at 12:15pm.

1:15pm: Open Floor Discussion and Question Period

2:15pm: Group Wrap-Up

2:30pm: Self-Directed Time/Visiting

 

*The following program is for clients and their partners who have already registered for the session. Family Program completion is a pre-requisite for attending Couple's day.

Day Four (Monday): "Couple's Day"

7:45am: Renewal Centre Building Opens

7:45-8:20am: Coffee, Tea, and Continental Breakfast Available To Interested Participants

8:45am: Check-In and Morning Introductions

8:45am: Why We Are Here and What We Want To Learn Exercise

9:00am: Moving Forward And Overcoming Resentments

            (Lecture and Discussion)

BREAK

10:00am: Tips For Building Healthy Relationships

            (Lecture and Discussion)

LUNCH 12:00

1:00pm: Trekscape Map Activity

BREAK

2:30pm: Reflection On The Activity And Group Closing

3:00pm: Self-Directed Time/Visiting

AVAILABLE DATES OF THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

Sunshine Coast Health Center offers the Family & Couples program every three weeks.

For a schedule of the next available dates for the Family & Couples Program call Administration toll-free at 1-866-487-9050 or visit the News & Events section.  All participants must have their registration confirmed in order to attend.

LOCATION OF THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

The Family & Couples Program is held on-campus in the Renewal Center, the building closest to the ocean. You can park your car on the sides of the driveway. The building is open at 7:45am and you are welcome to join us for a continental breakfast prior to group starting at 8:30am each day.

TRAVEL & DIRECTIONS TO THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

Visit the Travel to Powell River section for air and car travel directions, accommodation, car rentals, and more!

FEES FOR THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

We feel your participation in the Family & Couples Program is so important that we include it in the residential treatment fee (see Fee Schedule). A fee of $150 will be charged to participants that do not have a family member, partner, friend, or business colleague in the residential program.

Travel expenses such as plane fare, ferry fares, gas, accommodation ¹, and evening meals ² are the responsibility of Family & Couples Program participants

(1) Note: Sunshine Coast Health Center does not provide accommodations for Family & Couples Program participants.
(2) Note: continental breakfast and lunch is included. Participants are responsible to make their own dinner arrangements.

NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS WHO CAN ATTEND THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

Clients may have a maximum of three family members who can attend Family Program at one time so that all clients have an opportunity to have a family member present. However, family members exceeding three will be wait-listed and contacted if the program does not reach capacity of 20 participants. There is no deadline for family members and partners to participate, even after their family member completes residential treatment.

MENU FOR THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

Sunshine Coast Health Center is proud of the nutritious, delicious cuisine we offer our male clients and their significant others.

Friday

Continental breakfast

Lunch - (1) potato salad; (2) coleslaw; (3) meat, cheese & veggie tray; (4) fresh bread for sandwiches; (5) turkey vegetable soup

Saturday

Continental breakfast

Lunch - (1) pasta salad, (2) green salad, (3) cream of mushroom soup, (4) veggie & cheese trays, (5) roast chicken, (6) BBQ beef, (7) fresh buns

Sunday

Continental breakfast

Lunch - (1) honey ham, (2) croissants, (3) chicken soup, (4) bean salad, (5) Caesar salad, (6) fresh bread & buns, (7) veggie & cheese trays

Monday (Couples Program)

Continental breakfast

Lunch - (1) cream of asparagus soup, (2) veggie & cheese tray, (3) green salad, (4) rice salad, (5) hot roast beef on a bun & gravy)

Note: Sunshine Coast Health Center reserves the right to modify the menu offering without prior notice.

All Family Program participants are responsible for their own dinners. Please let staff know when you are registering if you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies.

DAY CARE DURING THE FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM

Please note that Sunshine Coast Health Center does not provide day care to participants with infants and young children. However, we have some suggestions depending on the age of your child:

Children seven months or younger

If you have a child seven months old or younger, we recommend that a grandparent or someone with whom the child is comfortable with also be present as a participant. That way, if your child requires attention he/she can be removed with a minimum of disruption to the group and will allow you to continue on with your own participation.

Children eight months to three years old

If a child is 8 months to 3 yrs old, the father of the child (the client in residence) can stay with his child while the mother is in the Family & Couples Program. This is difficult on the 4th day, Monday, when both parents need to be in the Couples Program.  It is suggested that during the Couples Program a grandparent or other family member provide child supervision.

Note: Other clients are not permitted to look after children even if they agree to provide supervision.

Children four to fourteen years old

If the child is ages 4-14 and can recreate independently, then they are welcome to play in a nearby activity room located inside the Renewal Center. Please bring a bag with toys such as books, colouring books, crayons, dolls, action figures, and toy cars.

Note: noise must be kept to a minimum. Children who require ongoing attention, entertainment, or supervision will disrupt other participants in the Family & Couples Program.

Children fifteen years and older

Teens ages 15 and over are welcome to participate in the Family & Couples Program. Please consider carefully whether your child, regardless of age, is emotionally capable of participating.

A Final Note on Day Care

Please be respectful of your fellow participants who may be in crisis and need our help without distraction. The above arrangements will work ONLY if you are confident that noise & distraction will be kept to a minimum. The Family & Couples Program facilitator is responsible to ensure that program content is delivered completely and on schedule. Therefore, disruptive children will be asked to vacate the Renewal Center at the discretion of the Family & Couples Program facilitator.

If you have any questions or feel you have a unique situation regarding your child call us toll-free at 1-866-487-9050 and ask to speak with the Family Program Facilitator.

ONLINE FAMILY SUPPORT

Participants who complete the family & couples program also qualify for weekly online support with topics specific to significant others such as maintaining boundaries, personal growth, supporting a loved one in recovery, and many more. As with online alumni support, participants have the opportunity to provide feedback which is promptly reviewed by the director of clinical and family services. Currently, this free program is available to family members for as long as they maintain a valid e-mail address with Sunshine Coast.

For more information refer to the Online Support section.

FAMILY & COUPLES PROGRAM TESTIMONIALS

Please note the names mentioned in the following testimonials have been fictionalized for reasons of confidentiality:

Hi,

I wanted to take an opportunity to thank you for everything you've done.  You've truly gone above and beyond your job description for me while Brad entered treatment.  I took in the Family weekend, and Couples day, and I would definitely do it all over again.  As I said to Cathy, it's hardly 'Family Weekend.' It's more like 'Stop the Madness Weekend.' It truly put things in a whole new perspective, brought me to a far better place than I was previous, which makes the future so much more tolerable. 

Brad was able to stay with me for 4 nights, plus a night pass to be back Monday by 11pm.  Although it started out pretty tough on Thursday night, we managed to get through it and spend an amazing weekend together. To see him, after 3 and 1/2 weeks, to see the changes in him, was so relieving. The stress is out of his face, his eyes are open and vibrant.  It's truly a pleasure to know that treatment there has brought the true him back. We are both so happy that he went to Powell River. He almost went to government-run treatment ... and from the horror stories we've heard over the weekend from others who have gone that route, we're so happy that Brad is where he is. Brad is glad too. The people he's met, the bonds that have been made. I met quite a few of the guys while there and wow! I'm impressed. 

In the beginning, I was truly ignorant to the way treatment was designed there.  And in being that way, it hindered my healing process.  After the weekend with Geoff and Cathy, I have a whole new perception on everything, my role in everything, as well as what I need to change for the future. Brad and I even picked Seashells for a couple hours one day that it wasn't raining...we walked on the beach. We walked almost everywhere we went. Something he never would have done prior. We talked, endlessly, about anything and everything. 

I truly think it should be mandatory for family to take in that weekend.  I don't see how recovery can be successful if they don't. I know it's not possible to enforce everyone to be present for a family weekend. There was many huge points for me, where I used to fear Brad's cravings, I no longer do and see the benefit in them. Brad is now scared to leave, he moved to Vista House on Saturday and has experienced anxiety ever since, knowing his time is almost over there.  But he values the friendships he's made, his 'new family' as he calls them.  It truly was so empowering to see how they all interact and connect with one another. 
 
I still think they should pull Dr. Phil off the air and put on the Geoff and Cathy show.  Sunshine Coast Health Center definitely has it going on. We cannot thank you enough for everything you all have done, the services you offer, and the genuine care of all the staff.  Both Brad and another client stated how having counselors who have 'walked the walk' give more weight to what they're being taught, over someone who reads out of a textbook and then tries to preach the way. 

Forever grateful,

Jennifer

Hi Cathy, I didn't get a chance to thank you for the weekend.  I learned a lot about myself and ways to handle things when I get home.  I was mentally exhausted before I came and after but at least now I have a peace of mind. Thank you for that. Phil is home tomorrow and I will keep in contact with you all next week.  Every person you meet usually leaves some sort of mark on your life and you have made a huge check on mine. I hope to get my other children to come to the program one weekend.  Lisa (my daughter) learned more life skills and I am so happy for her.

Lynn

Hi Cathy, I just wanted to say again, "thank you." I have done many kinds of personal development over the years and I would say that the weekend that I spent at the Sunshine Coast was the best (I could have saved myself a lot of money).  It was just the boost I needed for this transitional period of my life. I have already started on my GOALS and I am so excited about the future. No matter what happens with myself and John I know life will be good. Keep doing what you do. There is nothing like helping people to learn to love themselves again! Take care. Love, Sara

"Cathy is awesome. Very well done."

"Learning that there is so much out there after treatment for my son such as transitional housing, online support, sponsors, etc. put my mind at ease."

"It's comforting to know that we can call Cathy or the counsellors any time if need be."

"I learned a lot this weekend. I am going to keep it and carry it with me."

"It was great to realize that I do not have to fear the unknown. That this is not an uncontrollable disease that can never be controlled. That there are supports to help."

"I had no idea about the dynamics of addiction. I know now how it is a disease, and not the person."

"I feel I have permission to get on with our lives and not be stuck in the role of rescuer."

". having the facility beside the ocean has a healing effect in itself. Great location."

"I found it very helpful that my partner was able to get a "leave" to spend time with me."

"Cathy and Geoff did an exceptional job. They are both very skilled in their field and excellent speakers/teachers as well."

"I will definitely recommend the program based on the feedback from the men I met attending your residential program."

"The program helped put an end to the question "what could I have done differently to have stopped his addiction?"

"So informative - using layman's terminology I thoroughly embrace the peer group approach - very empowering."

"My only criticism is that this program was not promoted more by the Center. With more notification more key family members could have attended and would have benefited."

"I feel like I can now set my own boundaries."

"Most valuable to me was meeting and talking to people that are living and feeling the same way I am."

"I was able to determine where I am on my path and what I need to do to move forward."

"I now understand the term 'emotional burnout' and it has allowed me to realize I'm not crazy."

"Thank you for presenting the program in such a wonderful way."

"It was a really good program. I am really glad I came. I think family should always attend."

"I liked the focus on what I need to do not on how to fix our family member."

"What I like about the facility is that it is small and the patients feel as if they are more in a family group. I am much more optimistic about my loved one's recovery."

"A warm and inviting atmosphere and the ocean view is spectacular."

DISCLAIMER

The clinical staff at Sunshine Coast Health Center finds that significant others who attend the Family & Couples Program have a significant advantage in being prepared for life after treatment.

Please note, however, that the Family & Couples Program is designed to be a primer class that provides some positive relationship rebuilding skills. It is NOT a replacement for family or marital therapy, nor a cure-all for relationship difficulties. Sunshine Coast Health Center can refer you to a couples counsellor or marital therapist in your home community if you desire ongoing relationship counselling.

Please refer to the Family & Couples Quick Facts for a printable version of this page.

Register for Programs BLOG FAQ

Sunshine Coast Health Center is a provincially-approved drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility licensed by VCH