Addiction, Treatment and Recovery

An Interview with Pat Schafer, Brighton Hospital

One in four children is affected by a loved one’s addiction to alcohol and/or other drugs. More than 8.3 million children live with at least one parent who abuses or is addicted to alcohol or other drugs (National Household Survey on Drug Abuse [NHSDA], 2007). Because of their circumstances and genetic predisposition, these kids are at a higher risk of addiction as adults.

The Betty Ford Children’s Program provides services for these children in three different states: California, Texas and Colorado. The success of the Children’s Program in those locations has prompted numerous requests for services from other agencies, professionals and programs around the country.

But, without expanding our program further, what could we do? In 2009, the Center took on an exciting new endeavor and created a way to partner with agencies, organizations and treatment centers to encourage, train and support them in providing their own programs for children of alcoholics and addicts. We created the Children’s Program Training Academy (CPTA).

Our first partner in this endeavor was Brighton Hospital. Located in Brighton, Michigan just outside of Detroit, the hospital is one of the oldest and most reputable addiction treatment facilities in the country. After almost five months of intensive training, in July of 2009 Brighton Hospital held their first children’s program. The process of developing a new program has not always been an easy one, but Betty Ford CPTA staff traveled frequently to Brighton, providing group facilitation, training, assistance with fundraising and marketing, and ongoing clinical support.

Pat Schafer, LMSW, was chosen to lead the program as the coordinator. She was given the daunting task of facilitating the groups and providing marketing and outreach. I spent some time talking with Pat recently, as she reviewed the program’s growth. Coming into the process with over 20 years of experience with kids, Pat jumped in eagerly. She shared with me what the experience has been like for her.

Having started a Children’s Program at Brighton Hospital from scratch, what would you say has been your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge has been trying to get enough kids in the groups. It takes many hours, breaking through parent’s denial, guilt and shame by educating them that their kids know much more about what is going on than they think, and that they need education and support. It is critical to address the misconceptions parents and grandparents have regarding the purpose and design of the program and how very important it is for family recovery.

I often hear statements like:

“My kid is already in therapy.”

“They have had the Dare Program in school.”

“They do not know about my use/addiction.”

“They are way too young for the program.”

“My kid is a straight A student. She will not get into anything like drugs.”

“I don’t want them to miss school.”

“I don’t want to drag my brother into this. He has gone through enough.”

At the beginning of the process, did you have any expectations (of yourself, families, kids, etc.) that you needed to change as you went along?

I expected to be able to get more kids in each program by now, and after two years I thought it would be much easier filling two groups every month. I also thought being part of an inpatient and outpatient treatment program, it would be much easier getting referrals.

It is difficult to have full groups, and for just one person to do everything for the program. It is necessary to educate staff that this is not just another treatment program. Parents are entrusting you with their children! Clinicians need at least 6-9 months of doing the program consistently before they are fully trained. This is difficult for supervisors to understand. There are so many details that have to be learned.

What advice would you give to other professionals wanting to start a similar program?

Don’t expect the program to be full right away. Be gentle with yourself and do not take the low numbers personally, thinking, ‘I have not done a good enough job’. It takes at least two years to build a program. The facilitators of the program must do the marketing. They know the program best. It gives a face to the program and establishes trust. It takes two full time counselors to do the marketing, which should be the majority of their job when they are not facilitating groups.

Do not charge a fee initially. It’s hard enough to get families signed up! Instead, think about collecting a deposit, which not only will secure their place in the program, but also provide an incentive to follow through. Once your program is established and you are getting consistent referrals, then charge, with the philosophy that ‘no family will be turned away due to financial hardship’.

And lastly, you have now been facilitating Children’s Programs at Brighton for almost two and a half years. What has been the most rewarding part of the process for you?

Coordinating and facilitating this program has been rewarding in so many ways.

I have been amazed at how open and honest the children and caregivers can be when they feel safe. It has been wonderful getting to know the kids and families and realizing how resilient they are! It is rewarding to recognize that you are truly making a difference in these kids’ lives, and witnessing the progress made throughout the four days. The parents are so grateful for the staff and the program. I am always amazed at how great this program is and I feel fortunate and blessed to be part of it.

Brighton Hospital continues to move forward. At the 18 month mark, the program appeared to have found its niche. The Brighton Hospital Children’s Program provided two sessions a month, serving full groups of children and parents, throughout the summer of 2011. They are now looking at ways to expand further. For more information about the Brighton Hospital Children’s Program, contact Pat Schafer at (810) 220-1807 or check out their website at http://www.brightonhospital.org.

Author Peggy McGillicuddy is a counselor and group facilitator, having provided advocacy and support services for young children impacted by addiction since 2000. She currently serves as a consultant and trainer for the Betty Ford Institute Children’s Program Training Academy.

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3. Betty Ford Center Family Program Changes Lives
4. “Running for a Reason”
5. Family Recovery Means Children Too!