Alcohol Use Disorder
Medically supervised alcohol detox and residential care for people who find it hard to stop or cut back on drinking.
Therapy
Family Therapy
Recovery is harder without the people closest to you. Family therapy gives everyone a safer place to talk, learn and heal.
Written by Serenity Moon Recovery editorial team
Reviewed by Serenity Moon Recovery editorial team
- Updated
What is family therapy?
Substance use doesn't happen in isolation. It affects partners, parents, children and friends, and the way a family works together can affect recovery too. Family therapy looks at the family as a whole rather than focusing on one person alone.
In family therapy, a therapist helps everyone talk more openly and listen more carefully. Families learn how addiction works, how to set healthy boundaries, and how to support their loved one without taking on more than they can carry.
Family members are affected by addiction in their own right. Family therapy and education give them room to talk about their own worry, anger or exhaustion, and to find support for themselves.
What does a session look like?
A family session is guided by a therapist who keeps the conversation safe and on track. Sessions might focus on understanding what the person in treatment is going through, working through a past conflict, practicing clearer ways to communicate or planning for the return home.
Family education is a part of this work. Loved ones learn about addiction, withdrawal, recovery and relapse, so they know what to expect and how to respond in helpful ways.
Family involvement always happens with the consent of the person in treatment. If you are a family member, our guide for families explains how to get involved and how to look after yourself along the way.
Who can family therapy help?
Family therapy can help families affected by any kind of substance use, as well as families dealing with addiction alongside depression, anxiety, trauma or another mental health condition.
It is especially useful when there is a lot of conflict or broken trust, when a loved one will be returning home after treatment, or when family members feel worn down and unsure how to help.
Opioid Use Disorder
Medically supervised opioid and fentanyl detox with comfort care, medication options and overdose-prevention planning.
Stimulant Use Disorder
Supportive, medically monitored care for meth, cocaine and prescription stimulant use, with close attention to mood and sleep.
Benzodiazepine Use Disorder
A safe, medically supervised path off benzodiazepines, with care for the anxiety and sleep problems that often come with them.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Integrated care for substance use and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and trauma, under one team and one plan.
Where it fits in our programs
At Serenity Moon Recovery, family therapy and education are part of our approach to care, alongside individual therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and psychiatric care when needed.
Families can be involved while their loved one is in residential treatment, and family support is part of planning for life after treatment through a personal aftercare plan.
If you are worried about someone you love and don't know where to start, our admissions team can talk through options with you confidentially.
Residential Treatment
Live-in treatment in a small, home-like setting, with daily therapy and support around the clock.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Several hours of structured therapy a few days a week, while you live at home and return to daily life.
Aftercare & Continuing Care
A personal plan for life after treatment: continued care, medication follow-up and recovery support close to home.
Who provides it, and how often
- Format
- Family
Not every client receives every therapy. Your clinical team selects therapies based on your assessment, clinical needs and individual treatment plan, and adjusts them as you progress.
Questions
Questions about family therapy
Whoever plays an important supportive role in the person's life. That can include parents, partners, spouses, adult children, siblings or close friends.
Yes. Treatment information is private, and family involvement happens with the consent of the person in treatment. Even before they agree, family members can learn about addiction and find support for themselves.
No. Family therapy is not about finding fault. It looks at how everyone is affected and how the family can communicate and support one another in healthier ways.
That is common, and it is one of the reasons family therapy exists. A therapist guides the conversation so it stays safe and focused, and helps everyone be heard.
Learning about addiction and taking care of your own well-being are good first steps. Our resources for families offer practical guidance. If you are worried about someone's immediate safety, see our crisis resources or call 911.
Sources
- TIP 39: Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy (Updated 2020)SAMHSA, via NCBI Bookshelf
- Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting HelpNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- TreatmentNational Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Talk with someone today
Whenever you're ready, late at night or right now, someone on our admissions team will pick up. The call is free, and there's no obligation.