Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
In this article
Family addiction counseling is also called family therapy or family counseling. It is designed to support the person in addiction recovery and improve family-relationship functioning.
Counseling options differ depending on who’s being treated and who’s involved. But, generally, this therapy treats the entire family, not just the person with an alcohol misuse problem.
Addiction can significantly affect the well-being of all family members. According to studies:1,2,3
Just as issues with family members can influence substance use, a supportive family environment can play an essential role in the addiction recovery process.
People recovering from addiction who attend family counseling are more likely to:
However, it’s essential to understand that while family therapy is often beneficial, it’s not for everyone.
Some families might feel emotionally and psychologically drained after living with a loved one’s alcohol addiction for a long time. They may worry about the unknown or hesitate to share family problems with strangers.
It might be helpful to seek a family therapist to speak to each family member separately about any concerns. Those who want to participate in family addiction counseling can do so, while others can join if they feel ready.
Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:
Answer a few questions to get started
There are four techniques and elements to family addiction counseling.
Enhancing family involvement and investment in the therapy of someone struggling with alcoholism is key.
Family engagement interventions usually take place during the initial phase of treatment. However, investment and goal setting are continually revisited during family therapy.
Relational reframing consists of interventions designed to move away from individual ways of defining issues and generating solutions. It shifts toward an understanding focused on relationships.
These interventions also aim to remove irrational descriptions of family members’ behaviors. Instead, they work to understand motivations for behavior based on relationships.
This element aims to shift the behavior of family members.
Family behavior change teaches solid new skills and encourages behavior changes that allow for improved family relationships. New behaviors and skills are positively reinforced and coached for the entire family.
For example, new skills a family therapist might teach a family include:
This element aims to change the way a family system is governed.
Family restructuring means shifting underlying:
For example, there may be a family trend that when someone is upset, they handle it alone. But a family therapist might help the family introduce new beliefs about the value of communicating with each other about difficult feelings.
There may be beliefs about the different roles two parents have in a family. Family therapies can help pinpoint a shared way that both parents can respond to their children.
Family members are encouraged to learn and understand their family dynamics and how they relate to problematic behavior. This can prompt shifts in attachment and emotional processes between family members.
Family counseling can take different forms in the addiction treatment process. It usually first involves the whole family meeting with a therapist.
However, sometimes only part of the family meets. Or, in some cases, each person might individually meet with a therapist.
Family therapy sessions usually last around an hour and can look different depending on each family’s needs. For example, one session might discuss each person’s feelings and concerns. Other family therapy sessions may involve teaching effective communication and improved listening to reduce misunderstandings.
The type of functional family therapy used for alcoholism depends on the family’s specific issues.
Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) is intended for married or cohabiting couples where one person experiences alcoholism. BCT promotes and rewards abstinence from alcohol through a daily “recovery contract.”
This addiction recovery contract involves the person with alcoholism expressing their intent not to drink and the partner supporting their efforts to remain abstinent.
This type of strategic family therapy can help:
Family behavior therapy (FBT) is successful with adults and adolescents with an alcohol use disorder. It’s a pick-and-choose-your-own therapy based on a selection of evidence-based treatment options. TBT teaches families skills to help them improve their home environment and family life.
FBT addresses how the behaviors of the person with alcoholism affect the family as a whole. It aims to change those behaviors with the involvement of the whole family.
Family recovery support groups are community-based group discussions that provide support and resources to families and the loved ones of those struggling with alcohol addiction.
These groups aim to help families cope with the challenges of having a loved one with alcoholism or drug addiction. They also provide a safe and supportive environment to share their feelings and experiences.
Family addiction counseling provides many benefits, including:
They’ll connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
Families can significantly help loved ones experiencing alcoholism. Family members initially recognize signs of alcohol addiction and can be the first to provide help and support.
When someone is seeking treatment, their family can provide support and a positive environment for ongoing recovery by:
BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.
Find a TherapistAnswer a few questions to get started
In this article
