As we celebrate National Recovery Month this September, the focus usually falls on those with substance use or mental health issues who are seeking out or living in recovery. While we do celebrate Recovery Month for those individuals, recovery impacts people at every stage of life and affects those they are closest to. Often, the recovery journey is not just for the person with the substance use or mental health issue—it includes everyone who cares about them.
Because recovery is holistic, families and caregivers can play an important role in supporting their loved one’s journey of recovery. Staying connected with supportive loved ones and trusted friends can be beneficial for the person in recovery, but this may present unique challenges for those individuals. When helping a loved one who is in recovery and working to overcome mental health or substance use challenges, it is imperative that specific resources are available to families and caregivers as well.
At Zepf Center, treatment focuses on the individual while recognizing and supporting external factors that may be beneficial for their recovery. Specific resources like the Fatherhood Program, MOMS Program and Recovery Support Center allow individuals in recovery—and their loved ones—to receive adequate support throughout the recovery journey.
The Zepf Center Fatherhood Connection (ZCFC) program is dedicated to empowering low-income fathers. Providing assistance with responsible parenting, economic stability, employment assistance and domestic violence support, ZCFC ensures program participants are set up to succeed as parents and community members.
Through twice-weekly parenting classes, participants learn about child development milestones, economic stability, resume development, responsible parenting and the importance of healthy relationships. The program offers several class times and dates to ensure each father has the flexibility to choose a schedule that works best for them.
Zepf Center also offers support for pregnant women who struggle with opioid use. The Maternal Opiate Medical Supports (MOMS) program provides care coordination assistance for expectant mothers with wrap-around services such as pre/post-natal care, counseling, medication-assisted treatment and care management.
By partnering with local agencies, Zepf Center’s MOMS program provides a place for clients to speak openly about their experiences while gaining valuable social connections and access to community resources that allow them to thrive.
This program not only supports mothers during pregnancy but is able to provide assistance for the first two years of the child’s life. During this time, mothers can attend groups, work with their case manager and access the full range of MOMS resources to set their family up for success.
After someone begins their recovery journey, issues with family, friends and caregivers often go unresolved while their loved one prioritizes treatment. Zepf Center’s Recovery Support Center is proud to offer support specifically for these individuals as their loved one embarks on a journey toward recovery.
Family Specialist Karen Freiberger works with families and individuals to find the best support options. In addition to traditional group meetings, Zepf Center facilitates Family Support meetings that are held on Thursdays at 5 p.m. in the Recovery Support Center.
Through these meetings, family members and loved ones learn how to process anger and resentment, learn to love with detachment as their addicted loved one recovers and adapt to new relationship dynamics. Attendees are provided with community resources and encouraged to seek out support that best fits their needs.
No matter where someone may be in their recovery journey, families and caregivers play an important role in supporting their loved ones. Zepf Center is committed to providing programs, resources and support to enable positive connections with family members and trusted friends. Visit zepfcenter.org for more information or call 419.841.7701 to learn more.