It may be absolutely right to say that the alcohol treatment program in Missouri would not be much of a success if the family wasn't involved to the extent it is. Right from the first step of the program, i.e. from convincing the patient to get into treatment to the final stage of treatment which includes the maintenance medication and the monitoring of the patient's condition, the family is an integral part in the entire treatment program.

Let us see the various ways in which the family helps in the alcohol treatment program in Missouri.

1.Bringing the Patient to the Treatment

The first main job that the family has to perform is to convince the patient to get into treatment. This is no mean task when it comes to alcohol addiction treatment. Substance abuse resources in Missouri have revealed that at least 90% of all alcoholics are denying their addiction to some extent or the other. This includes the classic alcoholic who never wants to believe that their alcohol consumption is beyond safe limits and also the alcoholic patient who simply does not want to get into addiction treatment because they are skeptical what the treatment will contain and what they will be made to do.

Here the family has to form an intervention group and motivate the patient into accepting the treatment. They can work in collaboration with an intervention specialist attached to a treatment center who can guide them on what they must say to the patient that can exhort them into getting into treatment. This is an important program that the family has to conduct; it is the program that will motivate the patients into overcoming their vehement denial and accept the kind of treatment that is being decided for them. This is by far the most significant contribution of the family.

2.Selecting the Right Treatment Option for the Patient

Once the patient has agreed to go through the treatment, it is the job of the family intervention group to select the right kind of treatment for the patient. Once again, this task is not quite easy to perform. There are several forms of addiction treatment in Missouri and it becomes quite difficult to decide which of these will be the right option for the patient.

Families would meet with counselors for substance abuse treatment in the state and learn from them what different treatment options are available. Then they would ask the counselors to suggest them a proper treatment option depending on the condition of the patient. Some of them would also help the families to secure their admission and carry out the enrollment process smoothly.

3.Keeping Track of how the Treatment is Progressing

Families are not meant to leave the patient in the lurch once the admission in the treatment center is done. Even here the family will need to keep abreast of how the treatment program is progressing. They must know what kind of effect the treatment is having on the patient and in case there is any problem, they should not flinch from consulting with the treatment providers on it.

The need for keeping updated about the treatment program becomes more important when the treatment program is an inpatient program where the patient will be kept in isolated surroundings. Sometimes patients would not like the treatment option and would like to quit midway. In these cases, the families must be understanding, but must explain the patient why it is important to complete the treatment.

4.Attending the Family Counseling Program

Families have a counseling program for themselves which are usually conducted towards the end of the treatment program for the patient. All families of the various patients at the treatment centers are called at one time. They are given accommodation for about three days. During this period, the families will be made to communicate with each other. This acts as a great energy boost. When the families come to know that there are other families in their city who are battling a similar addiction problem as they are, it helps motivate them to go ahead with the treatment.

One more thing that the family is actively taught during these counseling programs is how to cope with the situation. Families might develop some or the other emotional issues of their own if not handled carefully. This counseling helps families to discuss these potential problems and seek solutions for the same.

They are also taught what they must do when the patient returns home after treatment and how they must follow certain relapse treatment practices.