Chapter 59. Family Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment

Abstract

The increasing use of family-oriented treatment approaches to substance abuse has also been supported by growing evidence of the efficacy of these approaches. Three conclusions can be drawn from these data: (1) The involvement of a nonalcoholic spouse in a treatment program significantly improves participation rates of alcoholic family members in treatment (Stanton 2004). (2) Involvement of nonalcoholic spouses also has a positive effect on the likelihood that individuals will alter their drinking behavior after treatment (Rowe and Liddle 2003). (3) Psychosocial functioning of all family members improves when family treatment approaches are included as a significant component of the treatment plan (O'Farrell and Fals-Stewart 2006). This chapter offers an overview of the following family-focused treatment approaches for substance use disorders: family systems therapy, family behavioral therapy, and social network therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)