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Editor's Notes

• #16: So. We worked to design a meeting format that would address both tracks…emotional self-management using SMART tools and Supporting a Loved One using the communication and boundary skills described in GYLOS.   For those of you who are unfamiliar with GYLOS it focuses on giving family members an alternative to the Tough Love, kick them to the curb approach to “helping” a Loved One that some other support groups advocate. We held our first meeting almost exactly two years ago. Since everyone in the group was new we started with what I would call a tool-centric meeting format and we have stuck with that. We have found that everyone benefits from this format. It helps all of us to keep the meetings solution-oriented and not problem-oriented (bad) and it helps keep the focus on the Family member, not the addicted Loved One. I am happy to share with you that our efforts have paid off in a big way. We have an active and supportive message board forum for Family & Friends. The attendance at our weekly meeting has grown and is now in the range of 25-30 and, our members are asking us to start a second online meeting.   I started out by saying Family & Friends is a big area with a lot of potential for new meetings - and for expanded recognition for SMART. How much potential? Well, Since we’re evidenced –based here, let’s take a look at our data.   The size of our Message Board and the size of our weekly online meeting are just the tip of the Family & Friends iceberg. To get an idea of the real interest level out there, we need to look at the internet traffic on our website.   With close to 4000 visitors per month, the Family & Friends information page is the second most frequently visited page on our site. It is second only to the main page.:   But, I think perhaps the best indication that there are a large number of Family & Friends who are coming to SMART serious about finding help would be to look at the book sales through our Amazon gateway. They look something like this:
• #28: This is a very popular book and it’s just one of the many resources we use in our meetings. Our meetings focus on the Family and Friends member. We focus on their emotional - and self-control challenges. We help them find an effective middle ground for interacting with their Loved One in a calm and helpful way. a middle ground between the tough-love approach and the -nagging-pleading and threatening approach. We help the person think RATIONALLY about them selves, and about their choices…. as they develop healthy boundaries and positive communication --- and as they develop problem solving strategies for themselves - using the SMART tools. In this way they create a family environment that is healthy for them -- first and foremost. -- And healthier for their loved one -- at the same time.   And now for the real excitement:
• #29: This is a very popular book and it’s just one of the many resources we use in our meetings. Our meetings focus on the Family and Friends member. We focus on their emotional - and self-control challenges. We help them find an effective middle ground for interacting with their Loved One in a calm and helpful way. a middle ground between the tough-love approach and the -nagging-pleading and threatening approach. We help the person think RATIONALLY about them selves, and about their choices…. as they develop healthy boundaries and positive communication --- and as they develop problem solving strategies for themselves - using the SMART tools. In this way they create a family environment that is healthy for them -- first and foremost. -- And healthier for their loved one -- at the same time.   And now for the real excitement:
• #30: This is a very popular book and it’s just one of the many resources we use in our meetings. Our meetings focus on the Family and Friends member. We focus on their emotional - and self-control challenges. We help them find an effective middle ground for interacting with their Loved One in a calm and helpful way. a middle ground between the tough-love approach and the -nagging-pleading and threatening approach. We help the person think RATIONALLY about them selves, and about their choices…. as they develop healthy boundaries and positive communication --- and as they develop problem solving strategies for themselves - using the SMART tools. In this way they create a family environment that is healthy for them -- first and foremost. -- And healthier for their loved one -- at the same time.   And now for the real excitement: