What to expect . . .
While your loved one is at Hazelden
The first step has already taken place; your loved one has made the decision to begin
the recovery process from the disease of addiction at Hazelden. We want you to feel good about this decision. Hazelden has 60 years of knowledge and expertise treating men, women, and youth from around the world who are suffering from addiction. We understand that this is a difficult time for your loved one as well as for you and your family. We are going to do everything we can to make sure you understand the process and feel comfortable along the way.
- What is addiction?
- Offering support and encouragement
- Hazelden's Family Program
- What will happen during my loved one's experience at Hazelden?
- What will happen after my loved one's experience at Hazelden?
- What about relapse?
- Chances for success are enhanced by
Since 1956 addiction has been recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association--a disease not unlike diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. While symptoms of these other diseases are mostly physical, people with addiction also experience emotional and social symptoms characterized by compulsive drugseeking behavior and drug abuse. Continued use of the addictive substance causes changes in the brain that lead to tolerance, physical dependence, uncontrollable craving, and often relapse. When an individual experiences addiction, family and friends are harmed, as well as the addicted individual.
Offering support and encouragement
Having made the decision that help is needed, your family has taken the critical first step toward lifelong recovery. The support of family and friends is important. While your loved one is at Hazelden, he or she will not have access to email, but you will be able to stay in contact via phone and postal mail. You will be able to send care packages (please see guidelines for what to send) and there are also regular opportunities to meet with your loved one on-site at Hazelden. Visiting hours vary by location.
Recovery from addiction involves rebuilding relationships with family and friends. We greatly encourage you to attend Hazelden's Family Program. This acclaimed program helps family members understand that they can't control their loved one's addiction, they didn't cause the addiction, and they can't cure the addiction. They can, however, take responsibility for their own well being by identifying how addiction affects the family and how, as a family, recovery is possible.
You will find healthy ways of recognizing and responding to addiction-related issues through presentations by Hazelden's Family Program staff. Other program activities include group discussions, personal goal setting, reading and reflection, and fellowship. By participating with other families who have a loved one with an addiction, you will find support and realize you're not alone.
What will happen during my loved one's experience at Hazelden?
While at Hazelden, your loved one will be well cared for and given a great deal of personal attention.
- Upon admittance, an interdisciplinary team consisting of team members specialized in different areas important to the recovery process examines the history of each patient and develops a care plan specifically for that individual. The members of this team include addiction counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists, physicians and nurses, family specialists, spiritual care professionals, nutritionists, and wellness specialists. These teams will look at unique aspects of your loved one's life to determine the specific factors that may be influencing his or her addictive behavior, and how best to overcome those factors.
- From this assessment, the team will develop a specialized care plan that will be carefully modified and integrated into your loved one's treatment as he or she moves forward towards lifelong recovery.
- The care team will continuously monitor your loved one's progress at Hazelden to ensure that he or she is receiving the specific care and support needed. Your loved one will participate in genderspecific programs that provide a safe, supportive environment for patients to bring up issues which may be difficult to discuss in a mixed-gender group.
- Your loved one will have a variety of programs available to ensure relaxation and comfort. These individual and group wellness programs include seated chair massages, biofeedback, gentle yoga, and creative arts. Fitness amenities include walking and running trails, a fitness center, and swimming (depending on location). These amenities encourage patients to begin a self-care program in order to improve physical and mental health, self-image, selfesteem, and to help reduce stress.
- Many patients who receive addiction treatment at Hazelden also have a co-occurring mental health issue such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, or anxiety. If this is the case with your loved one, we will help him or her understand how co-occurring diagnoses interact with each other. A mental health professional will be designated to ensure that mental health needs are identified and treated along with the addiction.
What will happen after my loved one's experience at Hazelden?
Your loved one will return home from Hazelden a changed person. Because recovery is a lifelong process, your ongoing support and encouragement is important.
- We will provide your loved one information about nearby Twelve Step meeting options. These meetings assist your loved one in discussing and overcoming issues that arise in the recovery process. These meetings will also help your loved one realize what he or she has accomplished and will help instill feelings of pride when stories are shared with other patients. Hearing the experiences of other patients who have been in the same situation will be beneficial and
helpful for your loved one. At Hazelden we have found that Twelve Step meetings are an important component of lifelong recovery.- Before your loved one leaves Hazelden, we will develop a treatment plan specifically for them to help them continue with their recovery. This continuing care plan is very important for successful recovery. Statistics show that people who follow this plan have much higher success rates than those who don't.
The journey into recovery sometimes includes a return to chemical use by the dependent person. Addiction is a chronic disease marked by relapse. It can be frustrating to see this happen in spite of best efforts by loved ones and the support of family and friends.
The battle in early recovery is between control and self-will versus acceptance of life on life's terms. This acceptance defines the spirituality that the dependent person needs--the ability to be honest and take responsibility for their own actions.
Relapse is most prevalent in the first three months after treatment. This is when your loved one will need the most support and encouragement. It is important to note attitude changes such as the desire to control the outcome of every event, which can cause feelings of sadness, anger, and fear. Watch too for these changes in your loved one:
- Being self-reliant--not asking for help
- Feeling depressed, hopeless, or helpless
- Getting easily angered or holding onto resentments
- Having an "it's all about me" attitude
- Lacking honesty
- Not accepting life on life's terms
A relapse to alcohol or chemical use can happen with a change of attitude or with a simple mistake. Mistakes can involve engaging in high-risk situations:
- Any people, places, or situations where the dependent person has used before. These can be triggers for using temptations and possible use. The dependent person may believe that if they are "strong" they'll be okay; But often, the person is powerless in this situation despite their strength.
- Any time when alcohol or drugs are around. The dependent person may be tempted to use even if they firmly believe they won't. Underestimating the severity of addiction may be one of the most common causes of returning to use. Acknowledging the power of addiction is the goal and the true meaning of being powerless.
- Any time when high stress accumulates. When overly stressed by life or intense feelings of anger, fear, or shame, the dependent person may view using as their only relief. Actively working a program of recovery--practicing daily habits such as healthy eating, getting daily exercise, communicating openly, and getting a proper amount of sleep each night--are important factors in reducing stress levels.
- A return to chemical use does happen to some who seem committed to their recovery. Because of this, it is important that your loved one create a relapse prevention plan. This plan should include:
- Information such as names and numbers of people (including their sponsor) who can be contacted in case thoughts about using alcohol or other drugs occur
- Places to go for immediate help
- Inspirational thoughts or slogans that might discourage use
- Changing cell phone numbers known by using friends to new cell phone numbers of friends in recovery
- Involvement at Twelve Step meetings. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of relapse since group members are able to describe the situations they are going through and the feelings they are experiencing. Other members who have gone through the same experience will give advice on how they handled each situation when they were in that stage of recovery. The Twelve Steps offer a way of daily living that will promote a healthy attitude.
- Participating in continuing care programs such as Hazelden's MORE Program. Continuing care, or aftercare, is the next step in the treatment process. Continuing care can include participating in My Ongoing Recovery Experience®, a Web-based continuing care program available to Hazelden patients upon leaving treatment. Group and individual therapy if recommended can also enhance chances for success.
- Interaction with other people in recovery. This includes first and foremost obtaining a sponsor, interacting with other group or AA members, and attending workshops at Hazelden's Renewal Center or community-based activities.
- Family member involvement in Al-Anon and family continuing care groups. The family members need to focus on themselves and rebuilding a healthy attitude regardless of what happens with the dependent person. Building a support system of others in the same situation helps families deal with the pressures of early recovery.
Recovery is a broad-based journey. Education and involvement help the family members obtain a happiness of their own as they grow emotionally and spiritually.
You, as a family member or friend, and your support are very important factors in the recovery of your loved one. Hazelden is here for you, so please feel free to contact us any time with your questions or concerns at (800) 257-7810.
