Pubdate: Fri, 17 Feb 2006
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2006 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Pamela Cowan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

REHAB CHANGES ANGER MOTHER

A mother whose three children's lives were turned around at an Indian 
Head addictions rehab centre is livid the program is being altered.

Judy Moore wants other families to get the same help her children got 
at Pine Lodge Treatment Centre but she's afraid that will be 
impossible since its Family Week was temporarily cancelled in January 
and then reinstated with a different approach.

Moore believes the best part of the program was supervised sessions 
where addicts and their families met in a group with a counsellor.

"This is where many in-recovery clients really face their addiction 
and all the hurts it has caused those they love," she said from her 
home in Lloydminster. "Some also break down and finally let go of 
their denial and face themselves. It is only in this way that one can 
clean up what is inside and truly begin to overcome their drug addiction."

Foster Monson -- the interim executive director of Regina Recovery 
Homes, which oversees programming at Pine Lodge -- said Family Week 
will continue, but the program will be modified using best practices 
from Health Canada.

He wouldn't spell out specific treatment changes, but said 
individuals who have been through the program and have concerns will 
be encouraged by the changes.

"Some of the confrontational aspects where there's uncertainty as to 
how an individual will respond in a group setting may be affected," 
he said. "You would have to do more in-depth discovery work in terms 
of the person's background and how that may affect other family 
members before you just went gung-ho into, for example, opening up 
sore wounds and causing undue aggravation to other members of the family."

Addicted to cocaine and alcohol, Moore's daughter Chelsea was 
referred to Pine Lodge by an addictions counsellor in November 2004.

During a family session, not only did Chelsea face up to her drug 
problem but her two brothers unexpectedly admitted to multiple 
addictions and consequently began treatment.

Tyler Moore's addictions include alcohol, crystal meth, cocaine, 
marijuana, acid and ecstasy.

"My biggest addiction was crystal meth -- that was the worst," the 
21-year-old said in a recent interview. "The best thing that I did in 
my life was going to that treatment centre. It made me open my eyes 
and realize what I have to do with my life."

During his first days at Pine Lodge in 2005, Tyler felt guilt, 
remorse and sadness but he believes addicts must experience negative 
emotions in order to heal.

Now, over a year later, Chelsea continues to be drug-free and Judy's 
two sons are participating in out-patient recovery programs.

"It was nothing short of a miracle for our family," Judy said. "I 
think it would be an absolute shame not to be able to offer this to 
others. We're not helping people address their recovery unless we do 
have a process like this."

Monson agreed that issues should be discussed openly and respectfully 
but only after a counsellor discusses concerns with all family 
members before a session.

"We still have an open mind as to how this is going to change in 
transition," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman