Free Workshops for Families Coping with Substance Use Disorders

NJ Connect for Recovery (NJCR), a service of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ), announces that it is offering free family education workshops throughout New Jersey for families of loved ones coping with a substance use disorder. The workshops are run by group facilitators over a series of 12 weeks and attendees can choose to attend some or all sessions. The weekly topics teach families important skills, including problem solving techniques and family collaboration, navigating the levels of treatment and insurance, crisis planning and Narcan training.

Currently, the NJ Connect for Recovery Family Education Workshops are being offered in two counties throughout New Jersey and will be expanding to more counties over the next few months. The workshop series meets once weekly for 12 consecutive weeks and while attendees are encouraged to attend all 12 sessions, they may also join at any time. Registration is not required, and walk-ins are welcome at any session. Available workshops include:

Union County

Workshop series dates: February 8th, 2018- April 26th, 2018

Meets on: Thursdays at 6:30 PM

Hosted at: The Gateway Family YMCA

Location: 201 Tucker Ave. Union, NJ 07083

Monmouth County

Workshop series dates: March 12, 2018-April 28, 2018

Meets on: Mondays 7:00 pm

Hosted at: RAFTS. Manasquan Recreation Building

Location: 67 Atlantic Ave. Manasquan, NJ 08736

NJ Connect for Recovery was established by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey as a free, confidential call line focused on helping individuals and families coping with substance use disorders achieve recovery. Calling (855) 652-3737 connects callers immediately with Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, highly-trained Peer Specialists and Public and Private Insurance Specialists to get callers the help they need.

"We find that family members of individuals dealing with substance use disorders are often the ones to reach out to our call line because they don't know where else to turn," said Anne Lopez, Director of Community Education and Outreach for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. "We recognize that a substance use disorder affects not just the individual, but the entire family, which is why we've expanded our resources to include free education workshops for family members. It's important to equip these families with as many skills and resources as we can to help them navigate treatment and recovery, while providing a safe environment for education and learning new evidence-based strategies for addressing substance use disorders and recovery with a loved one."

For more information on available workshops and for substance use resources and treatment, contact NJ Connect for Recovery at (855) 652-3737 or visit http://www.njconnectforrecovery.org/substance/. To stay connected, follow us on Facebook (@njconnectforrecovery), Twitter (@Call8556523737) and Instagram (@njconnectforrecovery).

The NJ Connect for Recovery call line is accessible from 8 AM to 10 PM on weekdays, 5 PM to 10 PM on weekends, and 3 PM to 10 PM on holidays. Any calls placed during off hours will be returned within 24 hours.

About NJ Connect for Recovery

NJ Connect for Recovery (NJCR), a service of the Mental Health Association in NJ (MHANJ), was established as a free, confidential call line focused on helping individuals and families coping with substance use disorders achieve recovery. NJCR provides a safe, confidential, nonjudgmental place that New Jersey residents may call to connect directly to Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Peer Specialists and Public and Private Insurance Specialists. NJCR offers a series of programs statewide, including free family education workshops and insurance navigation community workshops. Call (855) 652-3737 for immediate guidance and support and get your substance use disorder questions answered. For more information about NJ Connect for Recovery and its full range of community resources and services, please visit njconnectforrecovery.org.

About the Mental Health Association in New Jersey

Founded in 1948, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is a statewide nonprofit organization that strives for children and adults to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training, and services. A consistent force and leader in advocacy and focus on policy, MHANJ increases access to care for people coping with mental illness and/or substance use disorders from all walks of life. MHANJ is dedicated to breaking down the barrier of stigma which deters people from seeking treatment and leading people to hope and recovery. MHANJ is a state affiliate of Mental Health America, the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. For more information, please visit www.mhanj.org.