Family

I grew up in a family where my parent(s) or other significant adults were dependent upon alcohol, drugs, gambling or other addictive substances or activities.

I am currently living or closely involved with someone who is actively addicted (for example a partner, a grown child, parent, sibling), was addicted, or who grew up with addiction in their family.

I am a friend, co-worker, employer, employee of someone who is actively addicted, was addicted, or who grew up with addiction in their family.

I myself was actively addicted at some point in my life. I have a minimum of 6-12 months of sobriety/abstinence and wish to explore addiction and the family system.

If any of these statements describe you, call AFM family Services programs.

For more information, click here.

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AFM strives to meet the needs of family and friends of persons who are struggling with alcohol, drugs or gambling. Through education, counseling and therapy services individuals, couples and families are offered the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives, to explore the effects of addiction on themselves and to make personal changes and healthy choices for their own lives.

1. Family Information Sessions
2. Initial Consultation Sessions
3. Family Awareness Program
4. Family Recovery Program
5. Individual, Couple and Family Counseling
6. Specific Services for Partners of Gamblers
7. Marriage and Family Therapy
8. Intervention Consultation
9. Ongoing services for persons who are already clients of AFM Family Services
10. Services for families who have someone in a rehabilitation for Alcohol, drugs or gambling

If you are a person who is affected by addiction in your family system you may be feeling apprehensive right now. It's a big step admitting something in your life is not working, that you feel a need for change. It takes a lot of strength to make that first contact. We invite you to do that now. You are invited to attend an Information Session or Series.

BRANDON - PARKWOOD CENTRE
Two Evening Sessions
2nd & 3rd Thursday of Month
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

At these sessions a counselor will talk about the addictive process and how family members react to addiction. Information will be provided about services for families and there will be time for you to ask questions.

These groups are open. No pre-registration is required. There are no fees for our services. Confidentiality is respected and you are not obligated to attend any further sessions.

Initial Consultation Sessions for Individuals, Couples or Families

A consultation Session is a confidential meeting with a counselor that will provide more insight about your situation and where you are in your life. This meeting will give you a chance to talk about what's been going on for you and explore possibilities for change.

Depending on your needs, interests and what you hope to achieve, you may decide, together with the counselor, to participate in one of our ongoing programs for family members.

Family Awareness Program

When you live with a dependent person, you often become so involved in the day-to-day survival that you don't look at how or why you're living the way you are. The Family Awareness Program provides the opportunity for people who have or are currently living with addiction in their lives will begin to examine the nature of addiction and the impact it has had on both themselves and their families.

The Family Awareness Program is a safe haven where people can express feelings and experiences openly and honestly. People share in the experiences of others and draw strength and support from the group. This is where you can begin to lay a foundation of understanding based upon education and honesty, to become aware of the things you can change and how you can create a framework for better living.

WINNIPEG - CHRISTIE HOUSE
8 Sessions held weekly
Choice of Tuesday or Wednesday
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Program is offered continuously throughout the year.

DAUPHIN
Program is offered twice a year

Pre-registration is required for this Program and attendance at a Family Information Session or Series is a pre-requisite in Brandon or Winnipeg. In Dauphin check with your local office for more specific information.

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Family Recovery Program

People come to the AFM at different stages in their lives. If you are ready to take a closer look at your experience of living with addiction; if you have reached a point where it's time to make changes; if you're not sure just how to make those changes, the Family Recovery Program may be for you.

In this experiential therapy group, you will find a safe place to explore and challenge some of the beliefs and behaviors that you have developed as a result of living with addiction. You may begin to recognize that while the pain is real, so is your ability to thrive. Drawing on new-found strength, you will come to know what your own needs are and how to meet them.

Like many people who aren't sure that the group experience is for them, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that, in the sharing of life stories, you are not alone.

WINNIPEG
Christie House

12 Sessions
Twice a week for 6 weeks

Tuesday and Thursday evenings
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

After the Family Information Session when you meet privately with a counselor you can discuss the possibility of this group for yourself.

Individual, Couple and Family Counseling

Although each person's situation is unique, those affected by addiction often feel isolated and unsure of how to deal with the problem. Often they feel responsible for the problem and that no one else understands their situation.

The truth is that you are not responsible for someone else's choices or behavior. Talking about things with someone who understands can help to make sense of what often seems like an overwhelming situation.

AFM Counselors in offices throughout the Province recognize how addiction problems can affect relationships and will provide counseling to your individual family to work with you towards making healthy changes.

You may reach a Counselor in your area by calling the local AFM Office.

Specific Services for Partners and Families of Gamblers

Families and loved ones affected by someone else's gambling often seek out services when they are in a crisis. Many times the crisis is related to a financial problem that reveals the hidden secret of excessive gambling.

If you find yourself in this predicament it can be very beneficial for you and other family members to have a safe place to talk about how you have been impacted by the secrets and the gambling. This is important for you whether the person you are concerned about is seeking treatment or not.

Families need lots of information about gambling and addiction so that they can move through the crisis with the knowledge needed to make good decisions. Engaging in some initial planning for your own financial and emotional safety seems to help settle down the crisis in the family system.

When a crisis has brought the gambling to their attention it is often difficult for the family to look at the bigger patterns connected to addictions before some specific safety issues are addressed. Once this is achieved you may choose to continue learning more about living with addiction by taking part in other programs offered through the AFM.

Contact Christie House in Winnipeg or your local AFM office for services.

Marriage & Family Therapy

At Christie House in Winnipeg, Marriage and Family Therapy is offered for couples and families who have used the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba services.

Couples working through recovery together often begin to realize they have issues that go beyond the addiction itself. Most commonly, couples work on issues of trust, communication, intimacy, parenting and finances.

Parents, including single parents, often seek advice on how to bring recovery into the family, to improve their parenting skills and to work towards prevention of addiction in the children.

The goal in family therapy is to work towards providing a loving and nurturing environment for all family members.

Intervention Consultation

A person or family may get to the point in their own growth where they want to address the person with the addiction in their life in a new or more constructive manner. But, they are often afraid of saying of doing something wrong, and of how this person might react.

The Counselors at Christie House in Winnipeg are available for consultation on possible ways to approach this person and communicate with them.

The AFM Library is also a good source of information about intervention. Books and videos are available for loan at no charge.

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ReParenting Program
Persons who have completed either the Family Awareness or Family Recovery Program in Brandon or Winnipeg are invited to continue their own personal growth by participating in the ReParenting Program.

The ReParenting Program was developed by the AFM specifically for adults who grew up in families where there was addiction or other painful issues. Those who grew up in such an environment often mature into adulthood with an intense desire not to repeat what they experienced in childhood. As a result, there is often a lack of an inner sense of what would be better or how to do things differently.

The ReParenting Program provides the safe place to explore the emotional residues of childhood. By putting the past into perspective emotionally, learning how to love and appreciate themselves today, participants find that they experience a sense of being more connected to their own emotions and therefore, more connected to others, including their partners and their children.

BRANDON
8 Sessions once a week
Mondays - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

WINNIPEG
8 Sessions once a week
Wednesdays - 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

These sessions are offered irregularly so check with your Parkwood or Christie House for dates. Participation in the Family Awareness or Family Recovery Program is a pre-requisite.

Services for Families who have someone in rehabilitation for alcohol, drugs or gambling

If you have a loved one in an AFM Rehabilitation Program there are specific services available for you. This is a good opportunity for you to connect with our Family Services and resources for yourself.

Specific sessions are offered for family members during the rehabilitation programs at Parkwood in Brandon and at James Toal Centre and River House in Winnipeg.

For time and schedule check with your family member or the AFM Family offices at Parkwood in Brandon or Christie House in Winnipeg.

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All are available through the Library or your local AFM office. These brochures are also available in French

I'm tired of walking on eggshells (French version)

You can't come to my house (French version)

I won't make the same mistakes (French version)

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