Free Seminar Addresses How Families Cope With Loved One's Substance Abuse

Contact: Robby Channell, 601-968-5135 rchannell@mbhs.org

Jackson, MS - July 28, 2004 - Baptist Behavioral Health Services will conduct a seminar entitled "Understanding the Family's Role in Recovery." The free seminar, which is open to the community, will be on August 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Baptist Behavioral Health Services on 800 Carlisle Street.

The seminar will cover a number of issues dealt with by the families of chemically addicted individuals. Guest speakers include June Dumas, After Care/Family Program coordinator; Porter Pryor, LPC, intake counselor; and Mark O. Rester, MD, Partial Hospitalization Program medical director.

Topics that will be addressed include behavioral dynamics and family patterns typical of addictive relationships, the family's role as a supporter and not an enabler, the family's responsibilities versus the responsibilities of the addicted person and how to get help for an addicted family member.

Pryor will also cover treatment options for the chemically addicted individual. Such options include outpatient rehabilitation (except chemical detoxification), morning and evening times that work around individuals' schedules, and therapy for the families of the chemically addicted.

Baptist Behavioral Health Services will have a member from the Alpha Association share what the rehabilitation program has done for them. The Alpha Association is a group of people who have been through the rehabilitation program and now volunteer with the after care program. Alpha volunteers drive patients to AA meetings, sponsor sober social activities and speak to groups at meetings.

With this seminar, Baptist Behavioral Health Services will educate families and give them resources to know what to do when a family member needs help. They want to let families know they are not alone when facing challenges associated with chemical dependence.

"We want people to know there is hope for them; there is a place that offers help," said Dumas.

To register for this seminar, call the Baptist Health Line at 1-800-948-6262 or (601) 948-6262.

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