Benefits to Children Who Participate in Family Therapy with their Substance‐Using Mother

Abstract

It is rare that family members other than the identified patient are followed over time in studies of therapy effectiveness. Family therapy is believed to be effective because it targets processes within the system that maintain symptoms. If these processes are changed, then all family members can benefit. Using a sample of 183 mother-child dyads from a study comparing family therapy for adult substance use versus an attention control, change in child's substance use (tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana) was estimated. Children who participated in family therapy with their mothers showed greater decreases in alcohol and tobacco use and were less likely to begin using compared to children whose mothers participated in the attention control condition.

Examining Utilization of Family-Based Treatment in Substance Use Treatment Centers

“…While family-based interventions have been shown to be efficacious in treating SUDs (e.g. Bartle-Haring et al, 2018;Liddle et al, 2018;Vardanian et al, 2020), understanding the prevalence and trends of family-based interventions within the context of community-based substance use treatment facilities has been understudied. The current study addressed this gap by exploring family-based interventions within the context of SUD treatment center data, finding that FBT utilization ranges across sites and that variables, such as centers aligning to ASAM guidelines, centers' average revenues from private insurance, and centers' use of other EBPs, such as CM/MI, were significantly associated with centers' utilization of FBTs.…”

Familial Influences on Treatment and Substance Use Among Mothers Engaged in Prostitution

“…In line with prior research (Sword et al, 2009), women in the current study reported that children were a tremendous source of motivation for seeking and remaining in treatment. Interventions rooted in family systems theory may be highly impactful within this population due to women's strong desire to reconnect with their children and build healthier relationships, as well as prior evidence showing that inclusion of children in their mother's substance use treatment benefits the mother and the child (Bartle‐Haring et al, 2018; Rowe, 2012). Treatment goals may need to include targeted relational or interactional goals to improve these relationships, thus creating new feedback loops and boundaries between mother and child.…”

Families post‐release: Barriers and pathways to family therapy

“…Therapists who fail to manage their power and ignore their privileged identity risk causing unforeseen and unintended harm to families post‐release through their use of culturally unresponsive ideologies (e.g., the myth of meritocracy) and practices (Hare‐Mustin, 1994). The use of directives and problem‐focused therapy models used by family therapists (Bartle‐Haring et al, 2018; Breunlin & Jacobsen, 2014) are examples of how therapists may inadvertently perpetuate power differences. Thus, regardless of the theory or model used, we encourage therapists to demonstrate curiosity and collaboration scrupulously and highlight strengths often minimized or ignored within dominant cultures (McDowell et al, 2019; White, 2000) with families post‐release.…”

“…Family therapy can also be as effective, and in some cases, more effective than individual treatment for serious mental health conditions (Pharoah et al, 2010). Among other benefits, family therapy can help heal attachment injuries in the parent–child relationship (Wesselmann et al, 2018), regulate delinquent youth behaviors, and mitigate symptoms associated with substance use disorders (Bartle‐Haring et al, 2018; O’Farrell & Clements, 2012; Pharoah et al, 2010).…”

“…Compelling evidence, based on samples outside the carceral system, suggests that family therapy can effectively address many of the unique challenges experienced post‐release. Some of these challenges include mental health disorders, substance use, recidivism, re‐unification challenges, and negative familial interactions (Bartle‐Haring et al, 2018; Garofalo, 2020; McKay et al, 2016; O’Farrell & Clements, 2012; Pharoah et al, 2010).…”