For the Family
As we’ve transformed from a structured sober living to an all-encompassing long-term program, our family support and involvement also blossomed.
As the family member of a Surfside participant, you have certain insights and historical information that are critical to building out an effective treatment plan. Engagement with our team enables us to paint a full picture of your loved one: past traumas, complex relationships, strengths, support systems, recurring challenges, neurodivergence, family history, medical issues, and much more. Here’s a look at the various methods we use to include you in this healing process.
Family Engagement
Ian Koch, MS, LCADC, developed a comprehensive process to engage families from the onset of admission to Surfside. Our case managers offer guidance, boundary support, address pressing concerns and ease the family’s transition into the Surfside program. Family therapy is available at off-site clinical facilities, such as our sister organization, Tidal Shift Recovery. We can help schedule these sessions as frequently as the family feels is necessary. Family members should expect to receive weekly updates from the clinical team at Tidal Shift Recovery or other community partners, offering insight into growth and challenges
Weekly Virtual Support Group
Our weekly Monday Night Surfside Family Support Group is a hidden blessing that took off in the midst of 2020’s pandemic restrictions. While this group is limited to Surfside families, it’s open to the parents of current partipants, graduates and alumni. This creates a space where all Surfside families can experience the love and support of folks who’ve walked this path before and understand their unique challenges.
Dozens of families participate virtually each week and have created a beautiful support network for one another – they even arrange informal meetups throughout the year to spend time with one another. Most weeks the meetings are peer-run, occasionally with special speakers. Once monthly, Surfside leadership will join the group to guide the discussion and offer her clinical perspective.
Case Management
At Surfside, we think it’s important to share the details of your loved one’s progress that fall outside the scope of traditional clinical care. Items like progress through the phase work, healthy/unhealthy behaviors or habits, and life skill development are shared with the family through weekly case management. These weekly updates to family occur via phone call or email.
This is separate from the communication that one receives through the clinical team at Tidal Shift or any off-site provider, as it allows us to discuss items related to daily living: personal care, medical appointments, interpersonal relationships, large scale goals, significant (or minute) challenges, and the family’s personal recovery journey. Surfside’s phase goals are intentionally transparent and measurable so that a family can easily understand a participant’s progress in this arena.
Monthly Family Weekend
We want families to feel connected to their son throughout the Surfside program, which is why we encourage them to come down the shore on the first weekend of every month for Family Weekend. Prior to their visit, we host an online meeting to offer support, boundaries, and guidance on how to make the interaction as healthy and positive as possible for everyone. This is an opportunity to meet the staff and other participants who support them on a daily basis, and get a deeper sense of the community.
Testimonials
James Villa
A month ago
This is the perfect program for young men who are serious about getting sober, and turning their lives around. Getting into this program I knew that sobriety was the end goal, what I didn’t expect was the help I would receive addressing my other short comings as an adult. The staff is well rounded and help residents with resume building, budgeting, time management, to name a few – all while focusing on staying sober and accepting life on life’s terms. The executive director of the program, Dan Miranda, treats all residents fair and has the perfect temperament to run a serious structured sober living environment. The staff is made up of young men who have been in your shoes, and can show you what being sober and happy can look like. These guys provide support when you need to be propped up, and will guide you in the right direction when they see you straying from the path.What I didn’t know to expect from this program was a lifelong support from the staff and other residents. It’s hard to monetize what this network of other young men is worth, but has been vitally important to my sobriety. If you are a family member of someone who needs help, the family support groups, and overall support from the therapist, staff, and directors for families is top tier – and doesn’t stop once you “graduate”. If you are serious about wanting to turn your life around, and want to put in the hard work involved – do yourself a favor and at least give a call.
T. Woodfall
2 months ago
My son Joe had been to a dozen treatment centers, many of which promised me the world. He had been to so many he knew more about addiction and relapse then most counselors. Surfside gave Joe the opportunity to learn how to apply what he had learned and equate that to true Recovery and a life of real purpose. He also learned how to enjoy the things he loved before his addiction stole everything from him all over again such as Surfing, Hiking and music. He celebrated 4 years sober in September and I’ve had the gift of watching him become the man I always knew he could be. Through Joe receiving the structure, accountability and life long friends developed at Surfside I’ve gotten my family back. He’s become an amazing Son, Brother, Uncle and overall contribution to those whose lives he touches everyday. I highly recommend Ian and his whole crew.
Kim Harris
8 months ago
I was provided Ian’s name when my son was in crisis. Without knowing us or our son, Ian was so kind and guided us to the best help for our son. After attending a 30 day residential treatment program, our son participated in Surfside and it was truly an amazing and supportive program. Our son pushed back at Ian and his staff and they were firm with him which I believe really helped him in the long run. I cannot thank them enough for all of their knowledge and help. Our son is now more than three years sober and is a healthy, productive and happy person and we have Surfside to thank.
Kevin Loalbo
3 months ago
This is one of, if not the best, program on the east coast. Surfside has paved the way for many young men to find and maintain long term sobriety. Surfside provided me with everything necessary to lead a happy and healthy life.
Matt Bloomquvist
8 months ago
I have worked in the addiction treatment field for the last decade and have known Surfside’s Executive Director, Ian Koch, for just as long. It has been a great experience to watch Surfside grow in to what it is today. I have referred a number of people to Surfside including my own family and close contacts. I believe in what they do and the help they are offering men in recovery.
Gale Weinberg
8 months ago
My son started Surfside Recovery Services in the summer of 2020. Unfortunately, he was unable to maintain his sobriety and had to leave because the program has a zero tolerance policy. However, the program does not leave you abandoned and hopeless, as Ian Koch, the Executive DIrector, Dan Miranda, the Clinical Program Director, and the Case Manager for my son were all available to assist me as a parent and encourage continued sobriety for my son. Relapse is sometimes part of recovery.After a stay at a Detox Center and a Rehab facility, my son returned to Surfside Recovery Services in August 2021, where he participated in the Relapse Program. He graduated in March 2022, relocated to an Oxford House (which I never thought would happen), and he is working as a Behavioral Health Tech at a local Detox facility. He is self-supporting, attends an Outpatient Program offered through an affiliate of Surfside Recovery Services, and continues with Nick Geissler, LACD, an incredible recovery therapist/coach. At this point, I am grateful for the wonderful services and support that Surfside provided to my son, and the support provided to me (which includes a weekly parent support group via zoom). My son is still in early recovery, but he has been given the tools to remain sober. He has the continued support of the professionals at Surfside Recovery Services and a supportive sober community to make his continued sobriety more sustainable. I highly recommend Surfside Recovery Services as a program to help a son who has substance issues.
T. Woodfall
Jul 12, 2022
Fantastic program! I have made it 6 years so far as a result of completing the program years ago.