Robert J. Ackerman, PhD

Living with an addicted person is not a spectator sport.

To one extent or another addiction affects the entire family, regardless of whether it is a parent or adolescent family member who is addicted. Using a systems perspective and a strength-based model, this workshop will focus on the impact of addiction on the family, strategies for individual and family intervention, and suggestions to facilitate family transitions and recovery. Additional topics will include: using family rituals to facilitate change, helping family members to utilize emotional, social, and moral intelligences to encourage recovery, developing a family continuing care plan, and an appreciation for gender differences in the addiction process and in recovery.