In-Residence Family Support Programs for
Drug and Alcohol Addiction

in-residence addiction programs facilityFor many years it has been consistent with the philosophy of Veritas Villa to include the family in treatment of the disease of drug and alcohol addictions. We offer an in-residence program supporting the families of those afflicted with the disease of alcohol and drug addiction with focus on the healing of relationships.

The family support program consists of an orientation session, education, identifying the roles that families play, group sharing, individual and couples counseling.

Studies Show that Drug and Alcohol Addiction Programs are More Successful with the Family Included

Recent studies have shown that the holistic approach of including the family in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction brings about a decrease in physical disorders of the family members, lowers the incidence of sibling involvement in addiction, decreases the percentage of suicide and divorce, and lowers the incidence of relapse.

For further information about admissions to our In-Residnece Family Support Programs and other programs, please e-mail us at .

A quote from Jim Cusack’s book page 79, Always Aware
(Brick Tower Press, New York)

“Chemical dependency or alcoholism should always be dealt with as a family illness. But that shouldn’t surprise anyone. When we think about it, we recognize that when any illness strikes someone, such as cancer, heart disease, AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, etc., it becomes a family illness. It affects the entire family physically, mentally, and spiritually. Families go through a tremendous amount of denial, frustration, fear, and sometimes loss of hope. Family members are also on the receiving end of the fear, anger, helplessness, and pain that the sick family member experiences. When someone is ill, the entire family suffers. When the victim of an illness begins to heal, the family begins to heal. We are linked together by love as well as by social groupings.

Bonding with other human beings is primarily through families. We attend weddings, funerals, graduations, share the birth of babies, and give gifts and receive them from one another. We rejoice together, and we all feel the pain when one of us gets hurt. Most family members say they experience a sense of peace and acceptance when the ill person comes to terms with his or her illness, reaches the point of acceptance, and maintains some sense of sanity and routine.

When I first started out in the field of alcoholism, it was not fashionable to get family members involved in the recovery process. The approach was simply to sober up the person who was addicted, then we turned the problem over to them to handle on their own. That was about the extent of it. But the drinking and the drug abuse cause many other problems, too. These problems must be addressed or true healing can’t take place. A chemically dependent person also needs the family’s support in order to stay clean, to make amends. The family needs to feel and be a part of the healing action. They need to know that what they do to help makes a difference. They need to be active participants.”

With Forgiveness, I Help Create a New, Brighter Day

How easy is it for me to forgive?  Does it depend entirely on whom or what I am forgiving?  When I understand that there is a blessing for me each time I forgive, forgiving myself and others becomes easier.

As I forgive I give up resentment and anger so it is really a gift that blesses me in giving it.  It’s not that I am supporting a negative or myself and others can do better.  I am claiming that there are divine qualities within us waiting to be expressed in loving, helpful ways.  I am an encourager, not a critic.

I give myself and others the attention I would give anything or anyone I value.  Forgiveness is like a sunrise that is announcing a new brighter day.

Download Family Program Brochure.

Letter to Family Members Visiting

Guidelines for Family Program



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Featured Employee

My name is Matt Ryan and I would like to welcome you to our website. I am 25 years sober and have worked at Veritas Villa for 16 years. I am a counselor on the men’s clinical team. I presently work with the uniformed officers and union members that served at Ground Zero. I believe that unresolved trauma will ultimately prevent some people from getting sober therefore it needs to be addressed in a safe supportive environment in early recovery. I look forward to seeing you when you come to the Villa!