Nonprofit Focuses on Whole Family Treatment

Substance abuse addiction and mental illness are diseases that affect the entire family dynamic. Parents, family and other caregivers experience the consequences of these diseases, which can forever damage a family structure if proper treatment is not provided.

When families become integrated into the recovery process, a much better outcome is likely.

Operation PAR Inc., an IRS-recognized 503(c) nonprofit, focuses on providing support and resources to families dealing with substance abuse addiction and mental illness.

Referred to as PAR (for parental awareness and responsibility), the organization takes a family-centric approach to recovery, which is paramount for the patient during all phases of treatment. This concept encourages understanding of the disease and recovery processes, which eases stress on caregivers and fosters family involvement.

Established in 1970, the nonprofit provides integrated addiction and mental health services at its locations in Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, Lee and Broward counties.

Support Is Tailored to Family's Needs

PAR offers family support programs that can be customized for many different situations, providing the conceptual framework for success. The organization is also heavily involved in research initiatives funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. These efforts are recognized both nationally and internationally.

Addiction is not the only issue that affects the family. Sobriety and recovery are also stages that require family support. Operation PAR President and CEO Nancy Hamilton explains:

"All of us are part of a family, whether that family functions in a supportive way or in a painful and destructive manner. As in many cases, solid recovery not only involves the individual changing but all the family members making changes. Sometimes we need help in developing healthy loving ways of communication and living together. There are many evidence-based models that increase positive outcomes for individuals and families. Healthy families make healthy neighborhoods and communities."

Many of PAR’s programs follow evidence-based practice, which is the use of mental and behavioral health interventions for which research has provided evidence of significant effectiveness in treatments. Not just offering support, these programs teach critical skills to help families learn how to successfully foster a stronger family unit. E-services are available for families who cannot go to local facilities.

Programs Teach How to Respond to Situation

Caregivers of someone going through an addiction problem feel every emotional spectrum including anger, confusion, sadness and being overwhelmed. The family support programs help families understand the experience of the addict, and what the treatment plan and recovery process are. This integration helps families function as normally as possible as they support their loved one in treatment.

Changing behavior can greatly affect how people feel about themselves and others. When behavior is positive, other things fall into place as a natural progression, such as trust and confidence.

“We teach how to strengthen a family and teach that family is the lifelong network and safety net,” Hamilton said. She stresses the importance of being on the lookout for how a family structure can be damaged, and seeking support before that happens.

Operation PAR Offers Range of Options

• The Strengthening Families program provides training sessions for parenting and child life skills, both focusing on communication, prevention, effective discipline, achieving desired behaviors, substance abuse education, peer pressure and many other related issues. These skills lead to competent parenting, which positively affects the entire family unit.
• The Parenting Wisely program is computer-based training for parents of children 3 to 18 years old. This program is also adapted to address other age groups. Based on social learning, cognitive behavioral and family systems theories, the programs aim to increase parental communication and disciplinary skills. This series is often brought into other programs such as the Women’s Day Treatment program as an accessory for prevention.
• The Family Support Network program was developed by Hamilton. This is an outpatient substance abuse treatment program targeting youths 10 to 18 years old. This program involves working in the home directly with family members to improve relationships by providing education and family case management services to ensure families get the support they need. Aligning the family together throughout the treatment process establishes communication and a solid support system. This 12-session program utilizes an adolescent-focused cognitive behavioral therapy called Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 
  
  The Family Support Network program teaches families the importance of defining a family mission statement that the entire family can commit and adhere to.

Operation PAR offers many other services and programs for individual and families. Hamilton said, “Families who reach out for help are more likely to survive a crisis than families who try to tough it out on their own.”   

How to Get Help

The Operation PAR Access Center provides help and information. Call 1-888-PAR-NEXT. Visit Operation PAR online for information about its many programs and services.

Manatee County residents may call 941-308-4357 or visit http://www.uw211manasota.net/  for referrals to local health and human services.