Volunteer Tina Morgan (left) and Activities Director Dianne Valvo represented the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County at the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County’s Out of the Darkness Walk at Jamestown’s Jackson Taylor Park. Submitted file photo

A new program aims to help families who are trying to help loved ones in their battles with addiction.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that as many as 50 million people suffer from some form of addiction in the United States. In Chautauqua County, there are several programs and agencies that provide addiction abuse programs. The Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County’s newest program adds a different spin on providing service and support.

According to Dianne Valvo of the MHA, the organization has launched a new program entitled Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). The group began on Oct. 9 and runs for 12 weeks, meeting each Wednesday, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at MHA, 31 Water St., at the rear of the Gateway Building. All services offered by MHA are free.

For individuals struggling with addiction, their loved ones are most likely suffering as well. CRAFT provides families with support, education, and tools to help them as addicted individuals. Emphasis is placed on positive communication strategies, positive reinforcement strategies, self-care, precautions for domestic violence, and getting their loved one to accept treatment.”

Michelle Colaiacovo, the grant coordinator and CRAFT leader for the MHA said, “right now there are 10 individuals in this cohort. We have five people in our group and five that I do one-on-one counseling with.

Additionally, while the program is only currently offered at the MHA’s Jamestown location there are plans to expand it.

“Steve Cobb, who runs our North County location, is in training with the CRAFT program,” said Colaiacovo. “However, until he is done with his training, I can run groups or do one-on-one counseling as needed.”

The program will be run at the MHA North County location inside Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle St., Dunkirk.

The aim of the CRAFT program is to help family members of addicts learn how to steer their loved one away from substance abuse. It is a great method for someone that’s refusing treatment or refusing to admit they are no longer in control of how much they consume. However, instead of an old-school intervention – where the family and friends get together and ask the person to enroll in a rehabilitation program – the CRAFT method encourages close significant others (which the program calls CSOs) to reward their loved one when they choose sobriety or show control. Another critical aspect of this method is that it encourages families to step back and allow bad consequences to happen when the person consumes, according to verywellmind.com.

“The program is one more tool in a family member of an addicted person’s tool bag,” said Colaiacovo. “There are other programs out there, but this one focuses on the family members and how they deal with having a family member whose addiction is something they are dealing with.”

By all accounts, Colaiacovo is more than qualified for this job.

“I’m in recovery myself,” she said. “I’m a peer to those who need help.”

For more information on the program email admin@mhachautauqua.org or call 716-661-9044.