Need Drug Rehab? Don't Go to One That Doesn't Offer Family Therapy

Having an educated and supportive family to come home to after drug or alcohol rehab is one of the best ways to promote long term sobriety. Also to minimize the risks of relapse, and one of the best ways that family can learn to support the addict in recovery is through involved participation in family therapies at drug rehab.

Addictions professionals agree that the family participation is enormously beneficial to the recovering addict, so why don't all rehabs include family therapy and programming as a part of standard care?

The issues, as it so often does, comes back to costs of service; and it simply costs more money for a drug or alcohol rehab to run additional and peripheral therapies, educational seminars and family group meetings. Although these are proven very effective, too many rehabs get away with sending family to al anon as a substitute for true and active participation in the therapies of rehab.

How does family involvement in rehab help?

Individual therapy with a psychologist and the whole family, including the addict, can help the family to learn together why the drinking or drugging occurs, learn what family dynamics may be contributing to the problem, and also begin to heal some of the negative emotions invariably created out of the behaviors of substance abuse.

Family educational seminars educate the family about the nature and manipulations of addiction, about the dangers of the drug taken in particular, and about concrete strategies they can use to assist the recovering addict maintain sobriety once out of rehab and back in the home.

Family group sessions, in which the families of all recovering addicts in the program share experiences together, can also help to heal some of the rifts created by addiction; and families learn that their pain and suffering is in no way unique, and they also learn that they need not feel guilty for things beyond their control.

Family participation is important

Family involvement in a drug or alcohol rehab is incredibly helpful to all members of the family, and really assists the recovering addict tremendously once back home, and as such finding a rehab that is close enough for easy family participation should be a priority in the selection process.

If two rehabs are under consideration, and all else seems equal, choose the facility that offers more comprehensive family involvement. It will help a lot, and it indicates that a good portion of your admissions check is being spent on therapy and programming to benefit the recovering addict, and not on exorbitant profits for the owner.

Even if the family does not intend on participating, rehabs that do not offer family therapy, or offer very minimal familial participation, should be considered a little bit suspect. Family participation helps, and if a rehab doesn't offer it; why not?

Bringing Snow When Mother Nature Doesn't

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas, but the snow stays in your dreams? If you live in a warm climate, or if Mother Nature isn't giving you the snow coverage you need to get into the Christmas spirit, take things into your own hands.

Frost your windows

You can easily give your house arctic appeal by frosting your windows. Spray-on frost can be purchased in easy-to-use aerosol cans. Just spray it on for instant frost.

Snow-covered trees

Artificial trees come in flocked and frosted. The trees appear as though they came straight from the winter woods and into your living room. Or, for a more retro feel, a completely white Christmas tree can give you a winter look and make your ornaments really stand out. A string of lights reflects off the white, "snow-covered" trees to create an ambient glow.

Snowmen

Dispersing decorative snowmen throughout the inside and outside of your home is a simple way to give your home a total winter makeover. Your snowy friends will brighten the mood and whiten your space. As an added bonus, your snowmen won't melt!

Paper snowflakes

Paper snowflakes are a classic Christmas craft that's fun for the whole family. Simple fold a square piece of paper any way you like, cut designs on the edges and unfold to reveal your design. Be careful you don't cut all the fold lines or you will cut apart your paper. (Or, take a new twist on the traditional project: Make your snowflakes out of inexpensive white coffee filters.) Hang your snowflakes anywhere you like -- on the walls, refrigerator or even on your windowpanes. It will be snowing at your house all season long.

Snow powder

Snow powder is an innovative product that turns into very realistic snow. When the absorbent polymer is mixed with water, it grows into snow that has a realistic appearance and feeling. Special affects artists use snow powder in films because of its realistic qualities. Once you mix up a batch, you'll love playing with the cold concoction. If you can pull yourself away, the snow is safe to use on furniture or outdoors, so you can sprinkle your snow as a decorative feature inside or outside.

Ice and icicles

Here's another tip from the movies. You can purchase the same ice and icicles that are used on movie sets. Hang them from a wall indoors or on your porch outdoors. They look so much like real ice that you'll have people wondering why winter only hit your home.

Make it glisten

One of the most beautiful characteristics of snow is its glistening appearance. When the light reflects on snow, it gleams and seems to sparkle. To get a similar affect, use lights in your decorating. A strand of lights adds glimmer to just about any part of your seasonal decorating:

Christmas trees
Wreaths
Garland
Shrubs
Tree trunks

The possibilities are endless, so you can light up any room inside or outside your home. Lights with twinkling capabilities will emulate glistening snow and add movement to your décor. Brighten your home and replicate the mysterious shimmer of fresh-fallen snow with simple strings of lights. Simple touches using a little creativity can give you the white Christmas you're dreaming of, without relying on Mother Nature.