Sometimes we notice things in people we love and aren’t sure when a problem has become a problem. Read our Families, Wealth and Addiction article for helpful information on what to look out for and what steps to take to successfully support a loved on struggling with addiction. Directly below that is a MinnPost article that discusses Hazleden’s shift to the CRAFT model, which is a helpful model for families to follow. The CRAFT model is an effective, empathetic approach to helping someone seek treatment. We don’t have to follow the tough-love/hit-rock-bottom models in order to effectively help those we love engage in treatment.
We know the challenges that can come with approaching a loved one about concerns you might have regarding their potential addiction. And we know sometimes it helps to have external support to do this. As we plan our approach, it’s important to be aware of any pre-existing ideas, expectations, or biases that we (or our loved one) has about addiction, recovery and treatment as well as barriers that our loved one may face (or may have already faced) in seeking and/or participating in treatment. Read below to build a base knowledge around all of these things.
Once you’ve identified a problem and are moving on to addressing it, it’s important to remember that you are not helpless in this situation. There are many things families can do to help their loved ones recover from addiction. This article discusses the highly effective programs available to pilots and doctors and what sets those programs apart from typical treatment models: using things that are meaningful to the addict as leverage for treatment.
Another tool families can (and should) implement is case management and monitoring. Read more: