(801) 851-5260
(801) 851-5260

Family Overview

We would love to tell you something that would ease your mind… something like us having all the answers, but we don’t. Much of the information you have sifted through, your research and reading of multiple websites has, more than likely, left you with more questions than answers. Maybe you’re even more confused than before you began researching. Who can blame you? Honestly, anyone can have anything on their website. A severe lack of regulation of dual-diagnosis treatment has unfortunately created an industry when what we need is a profession. But how can you know which program is the best?

Well, the good news is the best program doesn’t exist. It is impossible to be the best because everyone is different. We are not a good fit for everyone and figuring this out requires us to interview the family and potential client. It requires us listening to you, seeking understanding of your expectations, needs, and wishes. We promise we will tell you whether we are a good fit or not. We care very little about filling a bed. Our main concern is keeping our program safe, admitting only those people who we believe we can help. We do not accept everyone into our program, nor would you want us to. The last thing we wish to do is to be another unsuccessful attempt for you and your family.

What differentiates us? Well, a few things: First, we want treatment to be way less of an industry and more of a profession. Second, we know aftercare is just as important as treatment. Third, time, just time is such an important part of the recovery process. We would love to say it is treatment and the “right” diagnosis, but dual-diagnosis treatment is currently rocking a 10% success rate. Further, most diagnoses can, do, and should change as a person builds sober history. Fourth, we believe self-sufficiency is vital for recovery. There is absolutely nothing less attractive than a 24-year-old man living with his parents. Well, maybe one thing is less attractive. Having to ask your parents for money to take someone out on a date…that definitely chips away at one’s manhood, no doubt. Fifth, regardless of whether money is an issue for a family (and it always is), parents didn’t work an entire career to pay for treatment and aftercare, which is why a year in our program costs as much as 90 days in other programs.

Finally (and we believe this is most important): Those of us who are struggling with mental health and substance use are not as broken as it may seem, or have been told we are. We are some of the most intelligent, resilient people on the plant who just make consistently poor choices because of our condition.

Family Involvement: You Need Support, Too

We absolutely believe in the family being a part of this process. We want you to know we are with you. To start this journey together, we highly encourage family therapy. We have an incredible Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who will work with you on a weekly basis, supporting you throughout your own work. Our therapist will especially be there for you during both the highs and lows of treatment. Some sessions will be with your family member and some won’t. We do this for a few reasons:

First: We want you to have your own space and time to process what is happening. This is a terribly confusing and difficult time. We want to be there for you, too. Many times, family members need to be able to speak freely, experiencing their truth in the moment.

Second: We want to build a relationship with your family member who is in treatment. This is vital. We need to gain his trust. If he believes we will automatically tell you everything, he will not feel safe with us, which demolishes the therapeutic alliance.

Third: People who have been using substances aren’t known for their honesty nor are they always forthcoming with information. Many times, our clients do not even mean to omit information. This is one of the items we will need your help with. We don’t want to waste any more time and full transparency (by both parties) is the only way this will work.

Fourth: We ask for your full support. We also ask you to fully commit to the process, which we know will be supremely difficult at times. The hardest part for parents is accepting what is best for their son, yet feeling such suggestions are counterintuitive to what their beliefs of being a “good parent” entails. You, dear parent, have much power, yet it’s the genius of your son making you feel as though you have none.

We ask for your participation in weekly family therapy sessions. This can be done with our Family Therapist. You will also be hearing from your son’s Primary Therapist on a weekly basis and receive regular updates from our your son’s case manager. One thing we promise is that we will not leave you in the dark.

None of this is mandatory, however. If you need to take a step back and focus on yourself, we understand and highly encourage that. Please, though, take all the suggestions of your consultant and those of us at Balance House, the first one being to take care of yourself.

There will be a time where we will ask you to come to our facility for a family intensive. Please don’t let the word “intensive” scare you. All it means is YOU will be our focus for a full day. You will have an opportunity to meet with a therapist, do some family therapy, have meals together, learn a few things, and have some fun! We also want your family member to spend a day with you without us if appropriate.

The family intensives will happen every four to six weeks, but we will ask that you wait to come after your family member has been with us for at least 30 days. It is also important for you to know that during these intensives, you will be participating with no more than four other families. We want this to feel personal and intimate. Also, we do not want to put more financial burden on you, as we cannot imagine what a strain this has put on your family. If visits during these intensives are not doable, we can do a family intensive via video conferencing, which can be just as powerful.