How to Cope

How to Cope is designed for adult family and friends impacted by a loved one's substance use disorder. Cope offers emotional, social and physical alternatives to fear and anxiety associated with addiction. The program's mission is to educate, provide support, foster awareness and offer help.

The seven-session course educates participants about the disease of addiction and how the disease directly affects the entire family. The course discusses indicators on how family members and friends enable the addicted person's behavior. In addition, participants learn how to construct a plan for changing personal behaviors to regain balance in their own lives.

How to Cope furnishes a road map for change in the lives of those affected by alcoholism or drug addiction. However, before those changes can occur, loved ones must acknowledge the substance use problem and be willing to take personal responsibility for their own behavior. An important point to remember is that when family members and friends begin to take charge and reconstruct their own lives, often the addicted person begins to seek help for their own problems.

For teenagers and younger children, First Call provides Caring for Kids.

For more information about How to Cope and Caring for Kids, email the Family Services Director or call 816.361.5900.