AdCare Offers Complimentary Education, Support for Families

WORCESTER — At a time when many families are experiencing adversity with colliding COVID-19 and opioid epidemics, AdCare is providing complimentary substance-use education monthly and support weekly for families.

AdCare’s Family Education Program, slated for Oct. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the fourth Wednesday of every month, focuses on how substance use often affects the entire family to the breaking point, impacting the stability of the home and the overall family dynamics.

“AdCare’s Family Education Program is designed to help educate folks about the disease of addiction,” said Martha Deering, AdCare clinician and program presenter. “As individuals progress from initial use to misuse to substance-use disorder, changes occur in brain structure and function that drive the transition from occasional to controlled to chronic, compulsive use.”

Participants can join from a computer, tablet, or smartphone at global.gotomeeting.com/join/889133237. They may also dial in using a phone at (646) 749-3122; access code: 889-133-237.

AdCare has also taken its Family and Friends Support Group, held Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., online. Facilitated by an AdCare clinician, the group encourages members to discuss how they are feeling and coping with the effects of another’s substance use. For information and a meeting link, e-mail mmcmahon@adcare.com.