A family is having an immediate support group at your fingertips. The family addiction treatment model dynamic works because it is built on love and trust. This allows the addict to be assured that in a time of need the team will be there for help.
The family environment provides a natural foundation to build up a healthy, sober lifestyle. However, many times the family members are just as emotionally affected as the addict. Therefore, it helps if they are also involved in the addiction treatment process. Analyzing these theories below shows differences in perspective for defining the main problems among families struggling with addiction.
Below are a variety of familial treatment options with some detail about what each kind is about.
Family Addiction Treatment Models
Dynamic Family Therapy
Experiential/Humanistic Family Therapy
Bowenian Family Therapy
Structural Family Therapy
The Family Disease Model
Dynamic Family Therapy
This basic therapy style works by diving into the nature of conflicts and gathering information about them. Family dynamics are the patterns of relating, or interactions, between family members. Each family system and its dynamics are unique, although there are some common patterns.
Experiential / Humanistic Family Therapy
This therapy focuses on the individual in treatment and emphasizes the openness of sharing emotions, not suppressing them. Humanistic therapy is a mental health approach that emphasizes the importance of being your true self in order to lead the most fulfilling life. It’s based on the principle that everyone has their own unique way of looking at the world. This view can impact your choices and actions.
Humanistic therapy also involves a core belief that people are good at heart and capable of making the right choices for themselves.
Bowenian Family Therapy
A theory that explores the balancing act between the individual self and the family as a group, in order to create more complete and productive outcomes. Bowenian family therapy aims to balance forces of togetherness and individuality to create health and success within the family unit and for each family member. In Bowenian family therapy, differentiation of self is the ability to separate feelings from logical thoughts and separate your feelings from the feelings of those around you.
Structural Family Therapy
This treatment style aims at resolving structural problems within the family. It addresses the underlying issues that may be affecting the individual and the way their disorder or addiction manifests. Structural family therapy (SFT) is a type of family therapy that looks at the structure of a family unit and improves the interactions between family members.
It suggests that dysfunctional family relationships can create stress and mental health problems for members of that family. By addressing how members of the family relate to one another, the goal is to improve communication and relationships to create positive changes for both individual family members and the family unit as a whole.
The Family Disease Model
This framework works on the premise that an addict’s problem is a family-wide problem, not just the individual’s problem. The family unit receives treatment as a whole. The Family Disease Model is based on the concept that addiction is a disease and that this disease can affect a whole household unit. Family members who aren’t addicts may become codependent on the addict for their emotional or material stability. This model aims to treat the entire family by approaching addiction as a condition that is cured through modifications in behavior or environment.
Know Someone Struggling with Addiction?
If you know a friend or family member struggling with addiction, one of these theories may prove to be a good starting point for them. Have them talk to a specialist to point them in the right direction. You can help them search for a treatment center close to where they live with the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator. It’s a free online tool provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Are you an Addiction Treatment Facility?
Synergy Concepts would love to sit down and talk with you about how to help you focus on your patients and their addiction treatment. Let us handle the billing so you can focus on your patients. Contact us today.
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