Family Therapy For Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
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- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a condition in which a person tends to experience difficulty controlling the use of alcohol or other substances, such as prescription or recreational substances. Individuals with substance use disorders may experience a variety of symptoms as a result of alcohol or drug use (formerly called “drug abuse”), including an increased tolerance of a substance, impulsive or reckless behavior, and social or emotional challenges. Substance use disorder can be highly impactful for both individuals and their entire family.
According to the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), treating substance use disorder may involve, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to change thought patterns and reduce symptoms. Family therapy for substance abuse (now often called “substance use") may be a way to resolve family conflict that occurs as a result of substance use. In this article, we’ll take a look at the benefits of family therapy for substance use disorder and what you might want to consider before starting family therapy sessions.
Understanding the goals and approaches of family therapy
The goals of family therapy may be multidimensional and change over time from family to family. However, one main goal is typically to improve communication. During family counseling sessions, family members may be encouraged to engage in open and honest dialogue. This can help family members understand each other’s viewpoints and feelings regarding substance use and its impact.
Improving and addressing family dynamics may be another major goal of family therapy. How each family member interacts with and supports others can be important. During the recovery process, a family therapist may help to identify and address unhealthy family interactions. Over time, family interventions and therapy sessions can provide a foundation for positive family interactions.
A family therapist may work with the family of a person experiencing substance use disorder (SUD) to provide recovery support. A therapist may look at the family system as a whole and equip family members with strategies to cope with the challenges of having a loved one with SUD. A mental health professional may use one or a few different approaches when supporting families facing SUD. The following are just a few:
Systemic family therapy (SFT)
SFT views the family as a system in which each member affects the whole. A therapist may examine and change patterns of interaction and communication within the family system to foster healthier relationships that support the individual with SUD.
Functional family therapy (FFT)
FFT may target dysfunctional behaviors and patterns and seek to improve family functioning. During FFT sessions, a therapist may combine cognitive-behavioral and systemic approaches, emphasizing motivation and behavior change to improve family functioning and support positive changes.
Behavioral family counseling
During behavioral family counseling, a person with SUD and a family member typically attend a series of 12 sessions that can build trust and enhance communication. The family member typically supports the person’s desire to abstain from substance use, and the two may learn to participate in a “daily trust discussion” that supports communication and recovery.
There are other forms of family therapy that a therapist may use to improve family dynamics and communication while treating SUD. It may be important to note that family therapy sessions are not stand-alone interventions, and they may occur at the same time that a person with SUD is undergoing other treatments or attending individual therapy sessions.
What are the benefits of family therapy for substance use disorder?
For individuals experiencing substance use disorder, there can be many benefits to attending family therapy sessions. These benefits may include:
Improving contact in family therapy for substance use disorders
It can be challenging for a person with SUD to communicate with family members about their emotions and experiences. Family therapy focuses on creating a safe, supportive environment where open dialogue can thrive. A family therapist may have the tools to enable and improve communication between family members.
Addressing underlying challenges in addiction treatment
There may be underlying family-based concerns or triggers that can impact a person's substance use. In addiction treatment, understanding and addressing these family dynamics is essential to fostering a supportive recovery environment. Working with a family therapist may help to identify these underlying triggers so that family members are aware of them.
Providing support and reducing stigma
Research shows that many people experiencing substance use disorder may feel loneliness. Family therapy can be a way to build support around a person with SUD and help family members see the disorder as a treatable medical condition.
Encouraging long-term recovery through mental health support
Involvement of family in the treatment of SUD may provide additional accountability and lead to long-term recovery. Integrating mental health support with family involvement can strengthen recovery and enhance overall well-being. Accountability may be a factor in preventing relapse for individuals with SUD.
Preparing for the treatment process
If you or a family member is experiencing SUD and thinking about starting family therapy, there are a few things that you can do to prepare for therapy sessions. It may be helpful to start by assessing each family member’s willingness to participate. This might be as simple as inviting them to participate. In some cases, you may need to explain how family therapy can benefit the whole family and not just the person living with SUD. If a family member is reluctant or refuses to participate, they may not be ready for family therapy yet, and it can be important to recognize this and allow them to participate when they are ready.
Setting realistic expectations for family therapy sessions
Before attending a family therapy session, it may be important to set realistic expectations for therapy sessions. This can include setting goals and objectives before starting therapy and monitoring them throughout. Having family members understand what they are hoping to get out of family therapy as well as what the limitations of family therapy techniques are can play an important role in the success of a session.
Choosing a therapist for mental health and addiction treatment
Finding the right therapist can be an important part of having productive family therapy sessions. It may be important to find a therapist who has a certification or licensure specifically in family therapy. You may also look for patient referrals or feedback to see if they have a track record of providing effective therapy to families.
Choosing the right therapist may also come down to how compatible they are with your family and your family’s needs. It can be important to meet with a therapist before sessions and to keep in mind that you can change therapists at any time. What may be most important is finding a therapist whom you and your family trust and who has the skill set to provide the support that is needed.
The benefits of online mental health support and family therapy for substance use disorders
If you’re seeking support through family therapy, finding a local therapist who meets your family’s needs can be a challenge. Online therapy may be a convenient option if there are limited therapists in your area or if you have difficulty coordinating family schedules. Online therapy requires only an internet connection and a device, which can offer flexibility when searching for a therapist. With online therapy, family members can attend sessions from anywhere in with an internet connection, which means that you do not have to find a single location for all family members to attend. You can communicate with the therapist and each other via video chat at a time that works for everyone.
Research shows that online family therapy can be an effective way to work through a variety of mental health conditions. In the online environment, a therapist can implement several family therapy techniques to engage and involve family members and provide support for the individual with SUD.
What to expect during family therapy sessions
Although all family therapy sessions and techniques may be slightly different, there are a few things that you might expect during a session. In the beginning, the therapist may begin by assessing the family as a whole. This can include asking for each person’s thoughts or feelings about a topic and understanding each member’s history within the family. The therapist may begin to drill down on certain topics or areas of contention. The goal is to understand how a family functions and interacts with each other and how this impacts the person with SUD.
After a general assessment, the therapist may formulate a treatment plan or try various strategies to build connections or to understand the family dynamics better. A therapist may ask the family to engage in role-playing, write letters to one another, or engage in collaborative problem-solving to help family members learn how to communicate and work with each other. At the end of a session, a therapist may assign homework or materials to help continue the work outside of therapy.
Long-term strategies for successful recovery when transitioning out of family therapy for substance use
For long-term success, it may be important to continue to develop a strong support system for both the individual with SUD and their family. These support systems can help to build accountability for the person with SUD and may reduce social isolation and loneliness. It also may be beneficial to provide continued check-ins and continue family therapy work even outside of family therapy sessions.
As the family transitions out of family therapy for SUD, it can be important to continue to build awareness and keep up with the latest research related to substance use. In the long term, it may be beneficial for the individual with SUD and their family to remain aware of signs of relapse and continue to monitor symptoms.
Takeaway
In situations involving substance use, individual therapy can also be helpful, both for the person living with SUD and family members. With online therapy, you can be matched with a therapist who has experience helping people facing challenges relating to substance use and family dynamics. Take the first step toward getting support and get started with BetterHelp online therapy.
What is family-based therapy for substance abuse?
Family-based therapy for substance use is a type of therapy that includes the entire family in the process of an individual’s recovery. These family therapy programs acknowledge that a substance use disorder affects the entire family, not just the individual with a dependency.
You might wonder, “How does family therapy work in the context of recovery?” It might depend on the severity of the person’s symptoms and the unique family dynamic. Whatever the circumstances of treatment and recovery, family therapy can support positive outcomes, whether the individual is in inpatient or outpatient treatment. Treatment centers often offer family-based therapy as one of many treatment options.
What can families do to cope with a loved one's addiction?
Coping with a loved one’s addiction can be challenging. Here are some tips for families struggling with this issue:
Learn as much as you can about the condition, whether it be alcohol or substance use disorder.
Surround the person with love and support while setting healthy boundaries.
Encourage the individual to seek treatment.
Don’t blame yourself.
Pursue your own therapy to develop healthy coping skills.
Nurture your relationships with other family members.
What are the 4 types of family therapy?
There are more than four types of family therapy for substance use. Examples include:
Brief strategic family therapy
Behavioral couples therapy
Structural family therapy
Family behavior therapy
What therapy is good for substance abuse disorder?
There are several types of individual therapies that can help with substance use treatment. Some of these include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Rational-emotive behavior therapy
Motivational interviewing
Group therapy
Whether or not family members are directly involved in the treatment program via family counseling, family support may be critical for addiction recovery.
What are some family-based approaches to substance abuse prevention?
Some preventative strategies in family-based treatment may include teaching parenting skills, teaching family members to communicate with each other effectively, acknowledging the family’s unique strengths, and introducing new skills and positive behaviors for resolving conflict.
What is one of the first signs of withdrawal?
Withdrawal from substances, including alcohol, can be dangerous and even life-threatening. It could be important to be aware of early signs, such as:
Shaking
Anxiety
Yawning
Sweating
Fatigue
Muscle pains
Paranoia
How can you offer support during the treatment process without enabling?
During addiction treatment, families often wonder how to provide support for their loved one without enabling unhealthy behaviors. Here are some tips:
Validate feelings, but refuse to accept responsibility for the person’s actions.
Focus on active listening without interrupting.
Express your concerns, but avoid blaming or shaming.
Maintain your boundaries.
Get support from a professional when needed.
Instead of rescuing them, empower them to rescue themselves.
Are there support groups for families of drug addicts?
Yes. The most common support groups for families are Al-Anon (for alcohol use disorder) and Nar-Anon (for substance use disorder).
What is the role of family in addiction recovery?
There are many things families can do to support a loved one’s recovery, whether with adolescent substance use or with an adult child/parent. It could be important to understand that some of these things may feel counter-intuitive, but they can be effective. Examples include:
Ask the person how they want you to be involved.
Set healthy boundaries.
Attend family counseling if relevant.
Take care of your own needs.
Hold the person accountable.
Trust the treatment process.
Why is family therapy for substance use disorder important for a loved one’s recovery and mental health?
There could be various reasons why family therapy is an important part of the addiction treatment process. For example, therapy provides an opportunity for family members to learn about addiction from a substance use counselor. This can help the family unit understand that substance use disorders are mental health disorders, not signs of personal weakness.
Addiction treatment work in family therapy can also help uncover any family dysfunction or toxic family relationships. It’s important to address these since the family environment needs to be healthy when the person returns from treatment. Treatment outcomes can depend on a solid support system going forward.
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