Family Resources

Family First

Family First Intervention offers professional services to support families dealing with addiction, mental health disorders, and dual diagnoses. Their approach focuses on tailored interventions to break enabling behaviors and address codependency. By educating families on addiction and mental health, they empower both the family and the individual to move forward in recovery.
 

Books

• "Codependent No More" – Melody Beattie
  A classic guide to recognizing and overcoming codependency in relationships with addicts.

• "Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change" – Jeffrey Foote, Carrie Wilkens, Nicole Kosanke
  A science-backed approach for family members to support a loved one’s recovery without enabling destructive behaviors.

• "When Your Partner Has an Addiction: How Compassion Can Transform Your Relationship (And Heal You Both in the Process)" – Christopher Kennedy Lawford & Beverly Engel
  A guide to navigating relationships affected by addiction while maintaining emotional well-being.

• "Understanding Addiction: Know Science, No Stigma" – Dr. Chuck Smith and Dr. Jason Hunt offers a compassionate and informative perspective on addiction, emphasizing its nature as a disease and providing hope and practical insights for those struggling with substance use disorder.

• Al-Anon’s "Paths to Recovery" Workbook
  A structured guide based on the 12-step recovery program for families of alcoholics.

• SMART Recovery Family & Friends Handbook
  Offers practical techniques to break codependency, set boundaries, and support loved ones effectively.

• "The Grief Recovery Handbook" – John W. James & Russell Friedman
  A step-by-step guide for healing from loss, including losing a loved one to addiction.

• "Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life" – Susan Forward
  For those raised by addicts, helping them break patterns of emotional damage and codependency.

Hazelden Betty Ford

Hazelden Betty Ford offers virtual family therapy programs and mental health services, as well as in-person treatment for addicts in Minnesota and California.

The Compassionate Friend

The Compassionate Friends is a nonprofit support network for families grieving the loss of a child, including those who have lost loved ones to addiction. Through local chapters, online forums, and grief resources, the organization offers a compassionate space for bereaved families to connect, share their pain, and find hope in healing.

Debt Help

• NFCC – Financial counseling, debt management plans, and budgeting help.

• Money Management International (MMI) – is a nonprofit organization that provides credit counseling, debt management, and financial education to help individuals regain control of their finances and improve their financial well-being.

• ​National Debt Relief – offers customized debt relief programs in Virginia, aiming to reduce monthly payments by up to 30% and eliminate debts within 12 to 48 months.

• Debt.org provides information on various debt relief programs in Virginia, including debt management, consolidation, settlement, and bankruptcy options, helping individuals navigate their financial challenges

• In Charge – Nonprofit offering free credit counseling and debt management programs for Virginia residents.

• Money Fit – Offers debt relief services, including debt consolidation and credit counseling.

Grief Share

Grief meetings are an essential part of healing. Click here to find meetings near you.

Families Anonymous

Families Anonymous (FA) is a 12-step support group for family members and friends affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction. It provides a confidential, supportive space where individuals can share experiences, gain insight into codependency, and learn how to set boundaries while prioritizing their own well-being. Meetings are available both in-person and online.

SMART Recovery Friends and Family

SMART Recovery offers a science-based, non-12-step approach for families of people struggling with addiction. Their Family & Friends program provides practical tools like boundary-setting and communication strategies to help loved ones support recovery without enabling destructive behaviors. The program is based on evidence-based approaches like the CRAFT method.

Al-Anon

Al-Anon is a worldwide support group for family members and friends of individuals struggling with alcoholism. It helps members find strength, hope, and healing through shared experiences, with a focus on detaching with love, setting boundaries, and focusing on personal well-being.

Nar-Anon

Nar-Anon is a 12-step support group for families and friends of individuals suffering from drug addiction. It offers a safe space for members to share their experiences, gain emotional support, and learn to establish boundaries while coping with a loved one’s addiction. Nar-Anon focuses on self-care and healing, similar to Al-Anon.

Ala-Teen

Ala-Teen provides support for young people who have been affected by someone else’s drinking. It offers a safe space for teens to share their feelings, find understanding, and develop skills for coping with challenges related to living with an alcoholic family member. Teens can connect with others who share similar experiences and work towards healing together.

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Helpful Websites for Grief Counseling

Grief Counselor’s Resource Page provides a collection of valuable websites for individuals seeking support through the grieving process. These resources offer guidance, grief support groups, and information for those struggling with loss, including losing loved ones to addiction.
Visit Grief Counselor's Helpful Websites for more.