Couple Therapy and Addictions

Abstract

Therapies for alcoholism, substance abuse, and other addictions traditionally focus on characteristics of individuals such as behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. These kinds of programs tend to target problems inside the abusing person rather than a relational system. Treatments that are more recent locate the problems within systems of people. Regardless of the locus or cause of the abuse or addiction, seen as arising from disease processes, systemic dynamics, or other mechanisms that lead to unfortunate habits and behaviors, utilizing the individual's partner or family in therapy has become an important part of successful treatment. This article reviews models of couple treatment for alcoholics and substance abusers in terms of initiation into treatment, primary treatment, and relapse prevention.

“Everything that I thought that they would be, they weren’t:” Family systems as support and impediment to recovery

“…Individuals with behavioral health difficulties whose families are involved in care, including but not limited to involvement in family therapy, adhere better to treatment regimens and experience more positive outcomes than those lacking such assistance (Biegel et al ., 2007; Brent & Giuliano 2007; Nelson & Sullivan 2007; Rotunda, et al, 2008). Yet lack of information, exclusion from treatment, and inability to contact providers are common complaints of family members who want to provide help.…”

“…Reports on the role of family in the case of people with SD largely ignore effects on family well-being and focus primarily on how relatives’ providing help to clients impacts their recovery (Biegel et al, 2006; Nelson & Sullivan 2007). Literature on “social support” for people with COD is sparser (Biegel et al, 2006; Tracy & Johnson 2007).…”

Creating Lasting Family Connections

“…Furthermore, best practices call for the use of a combination of family systems and functional analysis for assessment provided with cognitive and behavioral methods to initiate change in family members and/or the substance abuser (e.g., Kelley & Fals-Stewart, 2002;McCrady, Epstein, & Hirsch, 1999;Nelson & Sullivan, 2007;O'Farrell et al, 1996aO'Farrell et al, , 1996bO'Farrell & Fals-Stewart, 2000;Powers, Vedel, & Emmelkamp, 2008). Studies of substance abuse treatment identify positive outcomes following CBT interventions, coping skills training, identification and elimination of cognitive distortions, and development of refusal skills (Marlatt & Donovan, 2005;Monti, Abrams, Kadden, & Cooney, 1989).…”