Over two decades ago, the men's program at Serenity House consisted of little more than a four-bed cottage serving men seeking help from the ravages of substance abuse and addiction. Since that time, Serenity House has experienced tremendous growth and capacity expansion, with the largest residential program being the Men's Extended Residential Care (MERC) program.

Recognizing that addiction encompasses many facets of an individual's life, the MERC program coordinates many services to meet client needs. The MERC program individually tailors a client's treatment by completing a thorough diagnostic assessment and screening for problem areas. This could include physical and mental health issues, employment, financial concerns, and family problems. This assessment is carried out with compassion and concern for the well being of the client, with the goal being to help the individual build a foundation that will provide for long-term recovery from substance abuse and chemical dependence.

Based on this personal history, the MERC program attempts to meet as many needs as possible through a comprehensive network of over 50 agencies within the community. An individualized treatment plan is developed which could include areas such as improving their overall support network, stress or anger management, effective parenting skills, and relapse prevention. Each client is provided with information about HIV/AIDS, STDs and other communicable diseases as well as an initial medical screening through the Serenity House Medical Director. Other medical and community-based services are reviewed, including the opportunity to meet with a local area psychiatrist who works closely with Serenity House clients. Another option for clients in the MERC program might be to work on their family relationships within our Male Family Reunification Initiative (MFRI) program.

Each client meets weekly with their primary counselor to discuss their treatment plan and measure their progress. The client also receives an educational component to his treatment through weekly educational group sessions which cover a wide variety of topics. Along with employment and daily treatment activities, the men at the MERC program attend support group meetings. These meetings help them to build relationships that will last long after the formalized treatment process at Serenity House ends. All of these services are delivered in an environment that fosters personal responsibility, individual growth, improved self esteem, and a solid sobriety.

As a counselor of the MERC program, I have witnessed first hand the damage of chemical dependency. I've also been privileged to witness the miracle of recovery. One of these miracles is the story of a client who recently completed the MERC program. Mike entered treatment broken down and in emotional pain. He could no longer see his children as a result of his addiction and before entering treatment, attempted suicide. He was severely depressed, had little hope, and was desperate for help. Mike came into the MERC program, and secured a full-time job which gave him a sense of self-worth. He was introduced to the MFRI program and began the task of repairing the relationship with his children. He was able to manage his daily stress by addressing his depression through services provided by the Dupage County Health Department. As a result of his hard work and commitment to sobriety he was able to see his children for the first time in over a year. Mike's outlook on life improved dramatically and he no longer had the desire to end his life. Mike was respected and admired by his peers, and he formed strong and meaningful friendships while in treatment. As a result of addressing the problems areas of his life, Mike was able to reclaim the role of father, friend, and productive member of society.

This is just one case of hundreds where men and women who have been affected by addiction have transformed their lives as a result of simply asking for help. Addiction destroys the lives of the individual, the family, and negatively impacts the community. With courage and commitment, treatment helps to repair what has been broken. This is the mission of the MERC program.

The Male Family Reunification Initiative is now eight years old. Through this program, we continue to work with men who wish to reunify with their children and with their nuclear families, and continue to help them in co-parenting issues with ex-wives or ex-partners. We have also worked frequently with men who have experienced trauma in their lives, such as abuse and neglect when they were children, as well as many traumatic events as they grew older. We continue to work with men and their families when violence or anger or power and control issues have been part of the person's life, as these issues also make recovery from chemical dependency challenging.

Our work with men who are dually diagnosed continues to grow as we work with men who have anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues. Problems with medications, helping family members and significant others understand and accept the dual disorder, and developing relapse prevention and coping skills are important parts of treatment.

Job, career, and education concerns are often treatment issues, as many of the people we work with have few skills and a poor work history. Many of our clients have identified skills they can build on, completed GED work, and have stated goals of continuing with their education or job training. A recent graduate of our program has completed several classes at College of DuPage . Some of our clients have worked with community agencies and received computer training to further their job and education goals.

One reason a man becomes involved in the Male Family Reunification Initiative is that there is an identified need for additional services due to the trauma of abusive or neglectful parents, traumatic life events, or the long term after effects of domestic violence. One example of the importance of addressing trauma is part of this story. A gentleman began to work with us who reported lifelong problems with his relationship with his father. With focused trauma work, we were able to greatly reduce the impact of longstanding negative beliefs. The client was able to face his problems with more strength, truly see the good parts of his character and build on those, and has begun to live the new role of the sober, responsible, and assertive man that he always hoped
to be.

The Male Family Reunification Initiative team works closely with the Extended Residential Care Program Manager and Counselors and the Independent Living Treatment counselor in coordinating these issues and more, in a treatment setting which always keeps a healthy focus on sobriety and recovery. Our clients who are fathers report tackling difficulties in reconnecting with their children, developing ways to talk with the mothers of their children, and the joy of being involved with their sons and daughters.