TOPIC: FAMILIES AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER’S PART I 7

SWK455: SERVICE AND TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSING DISORDERS

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The major themes of the readings on families and substance use disorders center on the

impact of substance use on families, the importance of family involvement in treatment, and

the need for innovative treatment models that address the unique needs of families with

young children. The Family-Based Recovery (FBR) program described in the article by

Hanson et al. (2015) "Family-Based Recovery: An Innovative In-Home Substance Abuse

Treatment Model for Families with Young Children" outlines the Family-Based Recovery

(FBR) program, which integrates substance abuse treatment for parents and infant mental

health intervention. The program is designed to prevent child maltreatment and family

disruption. Outcome data suggest that FBR is a promising model for addressing the complex

needs of families affected by substance use disorders.

David Sheff's (2008) book, "Beautiful Boy" provides a personal account of the impact of his

son's addiction on their family. Sheff describes the fear, pain, and sense of helplessness that

many families experience when a loved one struggles with addiction. The chapters highlight

the importance of family support and the difficult decisions that families must make when

faced with addiction. The book underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to

addiction treatment that involves the entire family.

Chapters 13 and 14 of "Clinical work with substance abusing clients" by Straussner (2013)

discuss the impact of substance use disorders on families and the need for a family-centered

approach to treatment. The readings explore the role of family dynamics in the development

and maintenance of substance use disorders and the importance of involving family members

in the recovery process. The chapters provide practical strategies for engaging families in

treatment and addressing issues related to communication, boundaries, and codependency.

The video "Addiction and the family system: Codependency" by Jerry Savage (2019), further

explores the impact of addiction on families and the concept of codependency. Savage

provides an overview of codependency and its relationship to addiction, highlighting the

ways in which codependent behaviours’ can perpetuate substance use disorders. The video

emphasizes the need for family members to focus on their own recovery and well-being while

supporting their loved one's recovery.

Taken together, these materials emphasize the need for a family-centered approach to

substance use disorder treatment that addresses the complex needs of families affected by

addiction. The FBR program is one example of an innovative treatment model that integrates

substance abuse treatment for parents and infant mental health intervention. The program

recognizes the importance of addressing the needs of both parents and children in the

recovery process. Similarly, Sheff's personal account highlights the need for family support

and the importance of a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment. The readings by

Straussner (2013) provide practical strategies for engaging families in treatment and

addressing issues related to family dynamics, communication, and codependency. The video
by Savage further underscores the importance of addressing codependency and the need for

families to focus on their own recovery and well-being.

Implications for social work practice include the need for social workers to adopt a family-

centered approach to substance use disorder treatment. This approach involves addressing the

unique needs of families affected by addiction and engaging family members in the recovery

process. Social workers should be familiar with innovative treatment models like FBR and be

able to provide families with access to appropriate services. Additionally, social workers

should be skilled in addressing issues related to family dynamics, communication, and

codependency. They should work collaboratively with families to develop treatment plans

that address their individual needs and goals.

The materials build upon each other by emphasizing the importance of family involvement in

the recovery process and the need for innovative treatment models that address the unique

needs of families affected by addiction. The FBR program provides an example of an

innovative treatment model that integrates substance abuse treatment for parents and infant

mental health intervention. Sheff's personal account highlights the importance of family

support and the need for a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment. The readings by

Straussner (2013) provide practical strategies for engaging families in treatment and

addressing issues related to family dynamics, communication, and codependency. The video

by Savage further underscores the importance of addressing codependency and the need for

families to focus on their own recovery and well-being.

Overall, these materials highlight the importance of taking a holistic approach to substance

use disorder treatment that involves the entire family. Social workers have a crucial role to

play in engaging families in the recovery process and supporting their well-being. By

adopting a family-centered approach to treatment and using evidence-based practices, social

workers can help families affected by addiction to heal and thrive.

References:

Hanson, T., Alessi, G., & Berman, M. (2015). Family-based recovery: A new paradigm for

treating opioid-exposed children. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 47(4), 298-305.

Savage, J. (2019, February 8). Understanding codependency [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J5FmqM5_zE

Sheff, D. (2008). Beautiful boy: A father's journey through his son's addiction. Houghton

Mifflin Harcourt.

Strausner, S. L. (2013). Clinical work with substance-abusing clients (3rd ed.). Guilford

Press.