Understanding Addiction: Renewing Hope, Restoring Families

Relationships impacted by substance use and high-risk behaviors can feel like navigating a minefield. Communication breaks down, emotions run high, and families often find themselves walking on eggshells — unsure of what to say or do next. When conflict escalates and hope feels out of reach, many people are left wondering if there is a better way forward. The good news is — there is.

In this interactive workshop, informed by the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) approach, participants will gain a deeper understanding of substance use and why certain behaviors make sense in the context of addiction. You will learn practical communication and collaboration skills that can immediately shift relationship dynamics, along with effective strategies for responding in ways that support both your well-being and the possibility of recovery. This workshop empowers participants to activate change within their families and communities while strengthening connection, compassion, and resilience.What you will learn:

• How to recognize risk and protective factors that influence substance use and strengthen resilience within individuals, families, and communities.
• How to understand substance use and why behaviors associated with addiction make sense, helping shift responses from frustration and blame toward insight and compassion.
• How to live in alignment with personal values regardless of circumstances, allowing participants to respond intentionally rather than react emotionally.
• How to establish healthy boundaries that support self-care while maintaining compassion and connection in challenging relationships.
• Practical, actionable strategies that can immediately begin to shift relationship patterns and improve family dynamics.

This workshop takes place from 5:30 - 7:30 PM Central Time. The information presented in this workshop is informed by the following evidence-based best practices and treatments: CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), MI (Motivational Interviewing), and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).

*About CRAFT: Community Reinforcement and Family Training, or CRAFT, is an approach for families who have a loved one struggling with substances, that invites change and assists in moving someone towards seeking help. CRAFT is about learning a different method to communicate with and support your loved one. It’s about taking care of yourself, while also learning how to interact with your loved one in a way that increases the likelihood of making a real change.

About the workshop and presenters:

Thrive! Family Recovery Resources will be hosting Understanding Addiction: Renewing Hope, Restoring Families.

Pam Lanhart

Pam is the daughter, sister and mother of loved ones that have suffered from substance use disorder. Pam is the Executive Director of Thrive! Family Recovery Resources, a non-profit program that exists to support families impacted by addiction. Pam is a trained ARISE interventionist specializing in family case management, a family recovery coach, a trained CRAFT practitioner and certified peer recovery specialist. Her work is informed by evidence-based best practices including Invitation to Change, CRAFT and Motivational Interviewing and believes the foundation for healing is empathy, kindness, connection and love.

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Host or Publisher Thrive! Family Recovery Resources