On the Other Side of Chaos: Understanding the Addiction of a Loved One

A lawyer turned drug counselor examines the disruption many families endure when addiction impacts their lives.

Based in part on her own family’s journey, Ellen Van Vechten explains the science of addiction, the theory of treatment, and the Twelve-Step model of recovery, providing sensible information and tips for reasoned action in support of a loved one while fostering personal growth and recovery.

Powerlessness over another's addiction has a caustic effect on the family. Too often parents and partners equate "letting go" with "giving up." While acceptance of a lack of control is essential to coping with the disease within the family system, there is nothing passive about supporting a partner or child on their journey to recovery. This concept is the foundation of Van Vechten's original approach to empower individuals with knowledge, which when coupled with acceptance allows any family dealing with active addiction to make thoughtful and reasoned decisions to facilitate the recovery of both their loves ones and themselves.

Ellen Van Vechten, JD, MSW, CADC, practiced law for over thirty years and experienced the crises of addiction in her own family. She obtained a MSW in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, with an emphasis in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. She completed her internship at the Addiction Counseling and Education Services program of Catholic Charities in the City of Chicago. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of Illinois. In 2010, Ms. Van Vechten won the Furst award for excellence in writing from the Department of Social Work of Loyola University, Chicago.