“Better family lives”: experiences of a whole family case management approach for parental alcohol misuse

Abstract

The Family Support Project is a whole family case management approach based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and developed for families affected by parental alcohol misuse. Using thematic analysis of interviews and clinical notes, this study explored the outcomes and factors that influenced change in families. Parents misusing alcohol became aware of the impact of their drinking on family, were motivated to change, adopt new positive behaviors, and spent time positively interacting with their family. Such programs that build trust, employ a flexible whole family approach, and draw on values-based work using ACT, merit further research.