The Ripple Effect of Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder: How Families Cope [Online Program]

While the focus on addiction has shifted to its neurological and biochemical roots, understanding its impact on families remains crucial. This session with Dr. Fortgang will explore key concepts that affect loved ones:
- Family Dynamics: How addiction impacts spouses, children, and friends.
- Adult Children of Alcoholics: Examining common traits developed in this environment.
- Codependency & Enabling: Unraveling unhealthy coping mechanisms within families.
- Family Interventions: Exploring this approach to fostering recovery.
Dr. Fortgang will review these concepts, and how they can be of either considerable or limited utility depending on individual circumstances.
OUR PRESENTER
Dr. Jeff Fortgang, Ph.D., LADC-I
LCLMA Staff Clinician
Dr. Jeff Fortgang joined LCL in 1998. As a Clinical Psychologist, HSP, he meets with clients regularly, leads groups, writes articles, and makes presentations to the legal community.
Jeff graduated Yale in 1971, and, after a few years as a musician/songwriter, completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology (from Adelphi University) in 1980. His dissertation, internship, and fellowship focused on treatment of alcoholism. Jeff has held positions at Mass. General, Mt. Auburn, Newton-Wellesley, and McLean Hospitals, worked with various employee assistance programs, and directed programs at Westwood Lodge Hospital and Bay Colony/Spofford Hall Outpatient Services.
A former Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry of Harvard Medical School (1993-2016), he has been in his half-time LCL role since 1998. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Register of Healthcare Providers in Psychology, and Mass.-licensed as both a psychologist and alcohol/drug counselor. His private practice office is in Newton Highlands. In addition to seeing clients at LCL, he also writes articles and makes presentations in the community. He is also the coauthor of the book The Full Weight of the Law: How Legal Professionals Can Recognize and Rebound from Depression (ABA publication, 2017 - available in our lending library) with another LCL Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Shawn Healy.
Jeff runs our Solo | Stress Connection Support Group and our Immigration Lawyers Support Group.