Local Church Offers Program to Help in Understanding How Addiction Affects Families

READING, Pa. - Dec. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Cherryville, PA – Addiction can affect everyone in one way or another from a parent, sibling, grandparent, or friend. When it does, there is plenty of help for the addicted individual for treatment and recovery. The question is, “Where is the help for the family to recover?” Like the addict the family needs help.

Through their community outreach, Bethany Wesleyan Church is opening their doors to the public to learn about the dynamics which happen with addiction not only for the addict but also for the family. The program is entitled, “Family Wellness Program, Understanding Addiction & Recovery” and is conducted by Mike Rowe from Addiction Prevention Strategies. Mike will provide a comprehensive look at what happens to the family when addiction becomes part of their lives and what can be done to help them understand and recover.

Addiction Prevention Strategies began in 1999 with Mickey Rowe. Mickey, a top executive with the IBM Corporation and a member of famous band “The Jesters” (circa 1960), found himself unemployed after losing his job due to alcoholism. Mickey entered treatment at the Caron Foundation (http://www.caron.org/) in 1980 and after treatment never drank again. He realized families were suffering and no one was addressing their needs. There were so many programs for the addicted but nothing for the families. He presented his program to businesses and industries and began pilot programs with two of the largest employers in Berks County, Pennsylvania. While in the early stages of APS, Mickey became ill and unable to continue his work.

Nine years later, Mike Rowe, Mickey's son, resurrected and restructured his father’s unique family education program. He found a real need in helping families in churches. When Mike initially introduced the Family Wellness Program to fifteen churches, fourteen out of the fifteen signed up to do the program, because the pastors realized the desperate need for education and support for the families that were impacted by addiction.

“Through our Family Wellness Program conducted through the education systems with churches and synagogues, we are able to educate families in understanding addiction, enabling, the importance of detachment, as well as setting boundaries. We are also able to help families to get loved ones into treatment in a loving and respectful way.” shared Mike Rowe.

Part of Bethany's vision to SERVE is to reach out to the lost and hurting through need-based, relevant ministries. By providing programs such as the “Family Wellness, Understanding Addiction” they are fulfilling this vision and providing ways to face addiction head on.

For more information on the January 12 and January 19 program, please contact Peggy Ziegenfuss at peggyz@bethanywes.org or call the church at 610.767.1239. NEED HELP NOW? Contact Mike Rowe at 610-301-7464 Visit http://www.addictionpreventionstrategies.com for more details.