Family Support for Daughter’s Drug Use in BC

This family wanted information on how to talk to their daughter about using substances. She struggled with drugs in the past and stopped using on her own, but they suspect she is using again. They want to know how to provide a safe environment so they talk to her about recovery in non-threatening way.

We suggested the following options/steps: 

• Set up couple/family therapy sessions to help
• Contact the mental and addictions office to see if they have any services for affected loved ones
• Attend traditional meetings groups like al-anon and narcanon
• Find tips in our family resources
• Find tips in our enabling and boundaries page

We told this family that once they know how to approach their daughter, they should call us back to get treatment resources for her once she chooses to seek recovery.

Here is a counsellor in Maple Ridge that might be best suited for your needs:

Miller, Sandy – MA, RCC
Oakhill Counselling and Mediation Services
200-11830-223 Street, Maple Ridge
Phone: (604) 607-1035
Note: Sandy has over 20 years experience working with individuals, couples, and families on issues such as trauma/abuse, addictions, grief, gender identity issues, and health issues.

MENTAL HEALTH and ADDICTION OFFICE

Here is your local mental health and addiction office. I would contact them to see if the can provide any support for affected family members.

Alouette Addiction Services
22477 Lougheed Highway
Phone: (604) 467-5179.
Note: Also serves families and has support groups including a dual diagnosis support group. Hours are 8:30 to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (closed noon hour).

MEETING GROUPS

Al-Anon/Alateen
101-3680 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 2A9
Phone: (604) 688-1716 Website: www.bcyukon-al-anon.org E-mail: afgcentraloffice@shaw.ca

Nar-Anon British Columbia or Nar-Anon Vancouver
PO Box 38734
126 W 3rd St.
Vancouver, BC V7M 3N1
Phone: (604) 878-8844
 Website: www.nar-anonbcregion.org
E-mail: naranonbc@shaw.ca
Additional Websites: (1) Nar-Anon Vancouver (2) http://www.naranonchat.com/ (3) Online Al-Anon Outreach

Here is the link to resources page for families: http://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/family-addiction-help/

There is a ton of information on this page that you can read through to find out what’s relevant for you and your situation.

From the family help page I have pulled a list of printed resources for boundaries and enabling:

• Addictive Relationships: Reclaiming Your Boundaries (1989) Joy Miller
• Better Boundaries: Owning and Treasuring Your Life (1997) Jan Black, Greg Enns
• Boundaries – Where You End And I Begin: How To Recognize And Set Healthy 
Boundaries (1994) Anne Katherine
• Boundaries and Relationships: Knowing, Protecting and Enjoying the Self (1993) Charles Whitfield
• Boundaries in Marriage (1999) Henry Cloud and John Townsend
• Boundaries in Marriage – Participant’s Guide (2002) Henry Cloud and John Townsend
• Boundaries: When to say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life (1992) Henry Cloud and John Townsend
• Where to Draw the Line: How to Set Healthy Boundaries Every Day (2000) 
Anne Katherine