Family Program for Addiction Recovery
Weekly workshops, in person or on Zoom, for the families and friends of the people we treat.
Addiction Is a Family Disease
Windmill Wellness Ranch believes in helping family members become better informed about addiction. We see addiction as a family disease, which means everyone in the family system is impacted and will continue to be affected as the person with the addiction moves through the recovery process.
Our hope is to help families gain some ground in the recovery process so that everyone is set up for success. It is strongly encouraged that family members plan to participate in the Windmill Wellness Ranch Family Program.
The Saturday Family Workshop
We conduct a hybrid family program every Saturday from 10:00am to 12:00pm, meaning you may come in person or join via Zoom. There is a different topic discussed every week, so family members may benefit from attending multiple sessions.
The first hour is for families only. It is a chance to work on your own recovery and hear from other families going through similar situations. In the second hour the clients join in for a large community process group, so you are doing part of the work together and part of it apart.
What Each Week Covers
A different topic every Saturday, so there is a reason to keep coming back.
Who Leads the Family Workshop
Casey Arrillaga
Family Workshop is led by Casey Arrillaga, LCSW, author of Realistic Hope: The Family Survival Guide for Alcoholism and Other Addictions and host of the podcast Addiction and the Family.
It is a way to connect with other families and to do some of the counseling work alongside your family member rather than waiting until they come home.
SMART Friends and Family
Every Sunday from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, in person or via Zoom, we offer SMART Friends and Family programming.
As anyone who has lived with the addiction of a loved one knows, the impact of addiction on other family members can be substantial. Family members, often overwhelmed by confusion, shame, guilt, fear, or other powerful emotions, may have little sense of what to do or where to turn, particularly if they expect that their loved one has little or no interest in the 12-step approach.
SMART Recovery Family and Friends is a science-based, secular alternative to Al-Anon. It uses methods based on the tools of SMART Recovery and CRAFT to provide resources and support for those affected by the addiction of a loved one. It is hosted by Kira Arrillaga, a licensed SMART facilitator, LCDC-I, and a recovery coach at Windmill Wellness Ranch.
Sign Up for Our Free Family and Friends Course
Seven weekly lessons, assembled by Windmill's expert staff, delivered straight to your inbox. It is built for anyone with someone close to them who struggles with addiction, and it costs nothing.
Podcast Episodes for Family Members
Episodes of Addiction and the Family chosen for the people around the person in treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Windmill Wellness Ranch family program meet?+
The family program runs every Saturday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. SMART Friends and Family runs every Sunday from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Can I attend online instead of in person?+
Yes. Both the Saturday family program and SMART Friends and Family are hybrid, so you may come in person or join via Zoom.
Do I need to attend every week?+
A different topic is discussed every week, so family members may benefit from attending multiple sessions rather than just one.
What happens during the two hours?+
The first hour is for families only, a chance to work on your own recovery and hear from other families in similar situations. In the second hour the clients join for a large community process group.
What is SMART Friends and Family?+
A science-based, secular alternative to Al-Anon. It uses methods based on the tools of SMART Recovery and CRAFT to provide resources and support for people affected by a loved one's addiction.
Who leads the family program?+
The Saturday Family Workshop is led by Casey Arrillaga, LCSW, author of Realistic Hope and host of the podcast Addiction and the Family. SMART Friends and Family is hosted by Kira Arrillaga, a licensed SMART facilitator, LCDC-I, and a recovery coach at Windmill Wellness Ranch.
Is the Family and Friends Course really free?+
Yes. It is seven weekly lessons assembled by Windmill's expert staff and delivered to your inbox at no cost. Sign up for the course.
Bring Your Family Into the Work
Family programming runs every week, in person and on Zoom. Read about The Windmill Way and our holistic approach, or reach out to get started.