A new program that has launched in eastern Manitoba is looking to give tools to families and loved ones of people living with addictions.

Adult And Teen Challenge of Central Canada has already launched the Concerned Persons Support Group in several Manitoba communities, and this week is launching in Steinbach and Richer.

Pastor Terry Thiessen of Teen Challenge says a lot of people get caught up in a storm when someone they care for is struggling with addiction.

"Addicts generally will create a storm around them," he says. "They create a lot of upheavals, and what happens is the loved ones and support network around them, they don't know how to deal with that."

(Photo credit: Teen Challenge)The Concerned Persons group gives these people a number of tools over the course of nine weeks to help in their journey.

"We go through a lot of relevant topics, things that they face every day like codependency, enabling, comfort, and support of others," says Thiessen.

He realizes there are a lot of mixed feelings for people as they come to the groups for the first time.

"But a lot of people have been waiting for something like this, usually, the first phone call that we get at Teen Challenge is from a loved one, it's not the individual, it's the loved one that calls because they want the help more than the individual does," he says.

Thiessen adds the Concerned Persons Group is the perfect fit because if the loved one is not ready to get help, Teen Challenge can already go ahead and help the families.

Thiessen says as families learn the proper tools, often addicts will "come to their senses" as they find they are no longer to manipulate others and create upheaval.

The groups have seen a variety of people come, from a father and daughter who are dealing with a mother struggling, or sisters who come on behalf of their other sibling, or a husband and wife come on behalf of their son.

"That's the cool thing about this; it's a diverse group," says Thiessen. "But they all come with a common thread, which is trying to find a way out of this."

The Eastman groups meet in Steinbach on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at the Jake Epp Library and on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm at the Richer Fellowship Church.