Introduction Substance use affects not only the individual who is using but the whole family unit. The family can be an important key factor in an individual's life when they choose to seek treatment. The family can help the individual who is addicted or they can negatively contribute to them relapsing. Family therapy is treatment that can reduce substance use and improve the family dynamics in a household. Brief Strategic Family Therapy is a common therapy used to treat substance use in families. This paper will explain why family therapy is important. It will also explain what Brief Strategic Family Therapy is and the process that families go through in it. Why is Family Therapy Important? Over 20 million of the 12 to 25 year olds in the …show more content…
Substance use does not only affect the individual with the problem but the whole family unit. Family therapy is treatment that can reduce substance use and improve the family dynamics in a household (Szapocznik, 2013). BSFT is a type of psychotherapy. It is a evidence based practice that works to reduce drug use, behavioral problems, and strengthen the family unit. The main goal of psychotherapy is change. When an individual has a problem with substance use, the actions of that individual impact those close to them. The family starts to suffer along with the individual. Family therapy is a way for the entire family to heal together and work on their problems together. Brief Strategic Family Therapy can be effective only when the family is willing to come in and work together to overcome their …show more content…
The family has influence on how the dependent which in this case is the adolescent behaves, thinks, feels, etc. The effectiveness of the therapy relies on the effort of the family to work together. Usually, the family comes into therapy blaming the dependent for his or her actions and fail to realize that the home environment is contributing to it. This can lead to the dependent feeling worthless and creating more problems in the family. Family therapy changes the family dynamic by creating rules and boundaries in the house. The therapist creates interventions for the family during therapy to work on these issues (Szapocznik,
Experiential Family Therapy is a therapy that encourages patients to address subconscious issues through actions, and role playing. It is a treatment that is used for a group of people in order to determine the source of problem in the family (Gurman and Kniskern, 2014). Experiential Family Therapy has its strengths and weaknesses. One of the strengths of this therapy is that, it focuses on the present and patients are able to express their emotions on what is happening to them presently. The client will have time to share everything about his/her life experiences one on one without any fears. As a result, it helps the client in the healing process because, he/she is able to express their feelings freely and come out of the problem. Therefore, in this type of therapy, the clients are deeply involved in solving their issues. It helps clients to scrutinize their individual connections and to initiate a self-discovery through therapy, on how their relationships influence their current behaviors (Gurman and Kniskern, 2014). By examining their personal relationships through experiential family therapy, family members are able to
Chan, J. G. (2003). An Examination of Family-Involved Approaches to Alcoholism Treatment. Family Journal, 11(2), 129-138. doi:10.1177/1066480702250149
A Harm Reduction approach to therapy begins with the intent to lessen any high-risk behavior that can be linked back to substance abuse. A treatment plan that focuses on the clients positive behaviors is developed. Hazardous behaviors are addressed through means of educating, and motivating the client. Once a client is properly educated in the positive ways to prevent or lessen harm through substance abuse, they are often motivated to begin to use their treatment as something that focuses on working towards complete recovery from their addiction. Moderation Management and Controlled Use is an approach that is intended to reduce consumption and therefore reduce harm to an individual. The individual is encouraged and taught productive ways to reduce drug intake and gain more control over situations that involve use such as limiting use, attending support groups, forming positive support system within their group of friend or wi...
...n all family members get involved in trying to help. By the individual’s family being apart of their therapy session, it shows how much their family members care for them and want them to get help with whatever issues they may be having. This is very important because it is a sign of love and it is showing the support that they have for one another. Therapist have also found that during strategic family therapy, they can help all family members with helping to encourage each other as well as create rules and interactions that are psychological healthy for all family members who are involved. It will make it easier for the family members to all get along and understand each other. When one person in the family is having issues, the other members should take the time to talk to one another and help each other out, especially the family member who is in need of help.
Substance disorders affects all social, educational, cultural, and age groups. Substance abuse research often focusses on the abuser and the family as a whole but not how it affects their spouse. United States misuse is linked to approximately 590,000 deaths and is responsible for injury or illness to almost 40 million individuals every year. (Cox, R., Ketner, J. & Blow, A. 2013). The consequences resulted from this disorder, are not only related to the substance abusers, but also have a great influence on their behavior and other layers of their life, especially their wives (Salehyan, Bigdeli, & Hashemian 2011). When the husband or boyfriend has an addiction the wife takes on responsibilities of her spouse which causes an increase in stress. Marriage is generally described as a protective factor against substance use. The concept of codependency was developed to explain what happens to the spouse of a substance abuser.
There are many contributing factors and political issues that address substance abuse. Throughout the years, many researchers have designed many interventions and social policies designed to treat people who have used, abused, and became addicted to substances. Today, there are many new studies that address substance abuse at the individual, group, family, and community or policy levels. Today, there are many services that are effective for decreasing recidivism in youth who have completed a substance abuse program. A substance abuse treatment program or center is the best way to treat individuals who have abused substances.
Substance abuse is considered a family disease among addiction specialists. For this reason, outpatient programs may find it beneficial to incorporate family therapy and educational programs into the treatment program. Family therapy can marshal the resources and strength of the family unit to support the recovery
Equally important, therapy for parents with children who abuse drugs, participate in treatment interventions in a therapeutic setting with the Family Therapy Model, using Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT. The main goal of CBT is to improve family relationships by promoting sobriety and correcting the erratic or destructive behaviors/patterns, which aid in a person’s addiction. The goal is to educate family members about triggers, in the event of a relapse or erratic behaviors that resurface. In the event, families can resolve conflict in a positive way and recognize future erratic behaviors, before it's too late. Nevertheless, the Strategic family therapy is the best option, for Ryan and his family because of the relationship and separation
My theoretical approach to family therapy is very integrative as I believe families cannot be described nor treated from a single-school approach. I view humans through a humanistic and existential lens but am more technically structural and solution-based. With this integrative approach, I believe I will be the most effective in helping families grow and reach their goals.
Sheff (2008) found that "Addict's family walks an unhappy path that is strewn with many pitfalls and false starts. Mistakes are inevitable. Pain is inevitable. But so are growth and wisdom and serenity if families approach addiction with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and the acceptance that recovery, like addiction itself, is a long and complex process. Families should never give up hope for recovery-for recovery can and does happen every day. Nor should they stop living their own lives while they wait for that miracle of recovery to occur" (Sheff, 2008, pg. 230).
Drug and alcohol abuse has become a worldwide epidemic within today’s society. The battle against drugs and alcohol is not going to diminish. Therefore, we as a society need to work together to address these problems while incorporating successful treatment plans and services for these individuals. The addiction to these substances does not only effect oneself, but can also have profound consequences for the children and families. When children are involved in a family structure that abuses alcohol or drugs an array of dysfunction becomes evident. Children might be subjected to child maltreatment, child abuse, physical/sexual abuse, or neglect, among many other inappropriate parenting practices.
Family therapy is a form of therapy where an adolescent who ranging from ages 10 through 19 obtain treatment with an addiction therapist who work with the whole family (Additon.com, n.d.). (Britannica.com, n.d.). The whole family must attend each appointment to take back their adolescent’s life. Malespin et al. (2015) stated that adolescent using and abusing marijuana “has proven to have detrimental consequences such as disadvantages in attention, verbal learning and memory”. Participating in family therapy is instrumental in helping the adolescent to uphold their abstinence from using marijuana. Moreover, if the adolescent is to be successful in their treatment they must
member, and ultimately move towards having family unity. The texts states, “The power of family therapy comes from bringing parents and children together to transform their interactions” (Nichols, 5). This not only applies to parents and children but also to spouses, siblings, and other relatives. Having someone that is not part of a family is good because it helps mediate what and how things are being said. A family therapist can help run things so there can be some kind of breakthrough of progress. In family therapy, group dynamics are an essential part of treatment. Group dynamics include the interaction of members and how they work in cooperation in supporting each other during therapy.
In our society families are the foundation of all human relationships. Therefore learning to maintain and develop healthy families are the goals of family therapist. Counselors can use the Structural Family Therapy approach in counseling hurting families. The pioneer of structural family therapy is Salvador Minuchin (Hammond & Nichols, 2014).
It is acknowledged that when families are involved, it is beneficial to rehabilitation and recovery (Cohen, Glynn, Murray-Swank, Barrio, Fischer, Perlick, Rotondi, Sayers, Sherman, & Dixon, 2008). Family Psychoeducation (FPE) is an evidence-based practice, that is designed to involve and educate family members in assisting their loved one with their rehabilitation and recovery (Lucksted, et al., 2012). It is recommended that family who have continuous contact with their family member with SPMI, take family psychoeducation (Glanville & Dixon, 2005). The program goes for at least nine months, and provides education, family support, crisis intervention and problem-solving skills (Glanville & Dixon, 2005). It can be done in a single-family or multi-family setting (Drapalski, Leith, & Dixon, 2009). The goal is to work with family members in attaining the best outcome for their loved one with SPMI (Glanville & Dixon, 2005). Several studies have found when families participated in FPE program for at least nine months, it can reduce the relapse and rehospitalization of their relative up to 50% (Drapalski, et al., 2009). There are also studies that have found that FPE leads to the decrease in negative symptoms, and improved social functioning for the individual with SPMI (Drapalski, et al., 2009). Family psychoeducation has also been found to reduce subjective burden for family