Substance Use Disorder and Family-Based Therapy

Substance Use Disorder and Family-Based Therapy
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Substance Use Disorder and Family-Based Therapy
6-1: Is it possible to utilize the solution-focused approach while also working within the traditional 12-step recovery model? Why or why not? Explain by providing specific examples.
The solution-focused approach can be used successfully alongside the 12-step recovery model since it indicates the triggers that result to relapse as well as exploring the barriers preventing the client from going to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings hence maintains sobriety. For example, a caregiver or therapist can assist the client to identify some "payoff" for missing the meeting. Therefore, the client can have some control over choices that may lead to substance abuse (Davidson & White, 2007).
Secondly, it can be used since it gives the therapist to work within the client's stipulated frame of reference. The solution-focused approach enables the therapist to view addiction as a disease hence enhances the client's coping skills and control the behaviors related to usage that the client believes to be random and spontaneous. The nature of the solution-focused approach embraces interactions and problems arising from the ineffective ways of coping with the addiction. The interaction ensures effective development, maintenance, and change for the better. Thus, therapists can support their clients in the change process alongside the 12-step recovery model. For example, a family member or therapist can tell the client that "You are a survivor, not a victim" to assure the client of the recovery process.
6-2: Describe the basic concepts of solution-focused techniques when working with families dealing with substance use disorders?
The basic concepts regarding the solution-focused technique include;
A focus on previous solutions which indicate some acquired knowledge of the condition and the best technique used to solve the problem. The family might have tried a previous solution which worked but discontinued in the process. Therefore, the knowledge acquired by the client or family may help them ask the client questions regarding past experiences. For example, "Have you ever experienced the problem before?" "What did you do to solve the problem?" (Walters & Rotgers, 2012).
Secondly, there is an exception concept. Looking for an exception focuses on something or a problem but not the condition in question without conscious intention. Therapist and families help the patients identify such exception by asking questions such as "What is unique about the periods when this problem does not occur?" (Robbins, et al., 2009). Present and future questions as used in solution-focused approach focus on both the present and future orientation to give a reflection of the beliefs on the condition and the techniques that work. For example, "What would love to do in the next week that would indicate that you make progress?"
Another concept in solution focused approach is the complement. Families and therapist normally validate any activity that the client is doing as well as acknowledging the difficulty of the problem to encourage the client to change. For example, "How did you manage that?" (Robbins, et al., 2009).
7-1: How might you approach counseling differently depending on who in the family has the substance use disorder? For example, would you approach a mom or wife differently than a husband or dad?
Family therapy approach is normally applied when a patient exhibits signs that the substance abused is influenced by the behavior of one of the members of the family or communication with the family. Therefore, it is ...