Thorpe Recovery Centre offers a free program to help kids impacted by a loved one’s substance abuse. The Program is for children aged 7-12 years old and is giving them an opportunity to address the addiction in their family and focus on understanding and recovery.
According to the Recovery Centre, children who grow up in addictive homes are 8 times more likely to develop an addiction themselves. Business Development Assistant Sarah Fox says the 3-day program will help the kids learn about addiction.
“They participate in developmental activities and games to understand what addiction is, how it’s impacted their family, how it’s not their fault, how to cope with the big emotions that come along with it and how to reach out for help.”
The Thorpkins Children’s Program is based on the Betty Ford Center’s Five Star Kids Program. The program holds up to a max of ten kids and takes place from August 24th to 26th, this is the third session in 2018. The last session will take place in late November.
“It’s usually siblings, about two to three families per session. Every child that attends will need a safe adult to attend as well for portions of the programming.”
Fox says the program started in November of 2017 and adds the centre wants to do right by the donors from the community that made the program possible. Fox believes its incredible what three days can do for the kids.
“The kids draw pictures through the program and they do a before and after on the evaluation. One girl she did her feelings bucket, it was overflowing and turmoil. After the program, her feelings bucket was minimal and manageable.”
More information on the program can be found on the Thorpe Recovery Centres website.
