Routledge Family Therapy and the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: The Family Matters Model

This accessible guide offers a much-needed integration of family therapy into the treatment of substance use disorders. By proposing a means by which family therapy can be moved to the forefront of addiction treatment, it places the family perspective at the center of its approach and provides a multifaceted alternative to the prevalent individual-focused model. Drawing from Bowen Family Systems Theory and the principles of the 12 step program, the book presents a model of integration that addresses the needs of families struggling with addiction. Illustrated with discussion questions and case narratives of former addicts, the text guides both practitioners and families towards a goal of creating an environment that supports recovery. Offering an overview of the history and current models of addiction treatment, chapters also outline a 6 week Family Matters Program, with accompanying treatment interventions and case studies. The book concludes with an examination of how this program can be implemented by practitioners in a variety of clinical settings. Family Therapy and the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders is essential reading for anyone with an interest in understanding the diverse ways in which addiction affects families. It will be particularly relevant to students of family therapy, but clinicians who work across the fields of substance abuse treatment or family counseling will also benefit from reading this book. Review "In her latest book, Family Therapy and the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders, Dr. Melody Bacon offers an innovative approach to a problem that has plagued individuals, families, and societies for millennia. By outlining the history of substance use and the efforts taken in the US to combat the devastating results of misuse, she provides the context for introducing her Family Matters Program. This integration of Bowen Family Systems Therapy with the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous is a much-needed addition to our tools to help families find healing and freedom from addiction." Rigo Brueck, PhD, Clinical Director, Covenant Hills Treatment Centers, Inc. "Dr. Bacon’s book, Family Therapy and the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders, offers fresh hope and practical guidance for working with one of the most challenging populations in mental health. Much needed, this book awakens even experienced clinicians to new possibilities for treatment and recovery." Diane R. Gehart, PhD, author of Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy and Professor, California State University, Northridge "Dr. Bacon’s lively inquiry, compassionate nature, and practical wisdom make this book a pleasure to read. Useful for those who are new to the field as well as more experienced practitioners, this book makes an important contribution to the available literature on the treatment of substance use disorders. The balance of context, real life stories, and expert reflection make this book a vibrant learning experience for the reader. Dr. Bacon’s Family Matters Program is an emerging and promising addiction treatment paradigm. As I read this book, I was impressed with how effortlessly Dr. Bacon weaves together themes of family therapy, psychodynamic insight, and behavioral change. In these pages you will find an optimistic voice describing the avenues for growth that are within reach for those with substance use disorders as well as their families." Sean Sterling, PhD, ABPP, Department Chair, Applied Clinical Psychology Program, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology