Families and Addiction

Benefits of Family Counseling in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

With new insights and coping skills, families can create an environment that supports recovery for every family member. Here are selected benefts of family counseling in SUD treatment:

  • Better treatment engagement and longer retention for the addict
  • help prevent substance misuse in other family memebers
  • Generate motivation among hopeles, anxious, and jaded family members
  • Improve treatment outcomes
  • Improved cultural responsiveness among African American, Latino, and Asian teens
  • Flexibilities in treatment planning
  • Improved family functionality, and
  • Relapse prevention

You can also call 516-741-3110 anytime to speak directly to a counselor. If we're not available, leave a message and someone will get back to you shortly.

The Stages of Change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance are relevant not just to individuals but also to families

Precontemplation is the stage at which no intention is made to change the behavior in the foreseeable future.

Contemplation is when people are aware a problem exists and are seriously thinking about overcoming it, but have not yet made a commitment to take action.

Preparation is a stage that combines intention and behavioral criteria. Individuals in this stage are intending to take action in the next month.

Action is the stage in which individuals modify their behavior, experiences, or environment in order to overcome their problems. Action involves the most overt behavioral changes and requires a considerable commitment of time and energy.

Maintenance is the stage in which people work to prevent a relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action. For addictive behaviors, this stage extends from 6 months to an indeterminate period past the initial action. (Carlson, Jon; Sperry, Len; Lewis, Judith A.. Family Therapy Techniques (p. 146). Taylor and Francis. Kindle Edition.)

Family Healing Prayer

With help I sincerely forgive everyone, living or dead members of my family, who have hurt me, or my loved ones in any way, or those whose wrongs have resulted in our present suffering and disorders. Place love over the head of each person our family, and between each generation. Replace all bondage with bonding in family love.  Through our ongoing recovery, let our family recognize and manifest that love in all our relationships.