Family Continuing Care Plans for long-term addiction recovery offer a way for families to move forward, together, supporting one another during a loved one’s early sobriety – continuing care. And why is this so important?

There is the perception that after detox, a 28-day residential program, or an intensive outpatient treatment program that “all is well” and life can go back to “normal.” What is missing is the understanding that addiction, like other diseases, requires continuing care. According to the ASAM’s 2009 Principles of Addiction Medicine Fourth Edition, “…effective treatment attends to multiple needs of each individual, not just his or her alcohol or drug use. To be effective, treatment must address any associated medical, psychologic, social, vocational, legal problem, and environmental problems” (ASAM, Principles…, p. 389). Additionally, the Principles cite one of the key components of “the best treatment programs” is “continuing care” (ASAM, Principles…, p. 351).

Not only is this important for the individual in recovery from addiction, it is important for the family as a whole because addiction is a Family disease. It affects everyone in the family, which is why it’s commonly referred to as a “family disease” — the family disease of addiction. It causes members of a family to develop coping methods that help them interact with one another because no one really knows, understands and/or is willing to admit, let alone confront, the underlying problem – namely that substance misuse (not the job or the kids or a bad day at the office…) has changed the way a loved one thinks, how they feel, what they say and what they do. I call it, “The Dance.” For more on this, please read: “The Dance of the Family Disease of Addiction.”

Family Continuing Care Plans Explained

Help for families involves bringing in as many family members as possible (especially those directly effected) to be part of the Continuing Care Plan process. This offers a unique opportunity for all concerned to outline the changes that need to occur in order to continue their individual work in recovery and moving forward. I work with Caroll Fowler, MFT, in these efforts in order to provide families the opportunity to use moderated sessions to thoroughly discuss and agree upon any number of issues, such as:

• what the drug addict or alcoholic should expect from family members (for example, not try to manage their recovery and specifically what is meant by this)
• what family members should expect from the drug addict or alcoholic (for example, to tolerate their fears and reactions and specifically what is meant by this)
• the pros and cons of SLE’s (sober living environments, aka “half-way houses” or “sober homes”)
• what recovery will look like for both (for example, individual therapy, 12 step or other self-help meetings, daily exercise class, private down-time activities, nutrition plans, exercise programs…)
• identify and discuss the ‘life issues’ that need to be dealt with (for example, credit repair, continued employment, living arrangements), the timing and steps for dealing with them, etc.
• identify relapse triggers for the drug addict or alcoholic (for example, family events where alcohol is served)
• identify relapse triggers for the family member (for example, drug addict or alcoholic not working their recovery)
• identify a code word family members can use when a difficult issue arises in order to acknowledge the tension but postpone discussion of the issue until in a safe setting (such as a meeting with a therapist or recovery coach)
• decide what to do if the drug addict or alcoholic relapses
• discuss and decide transportation issues – especially if children are involved
• decide what to tell extended family, neighbors, friends and the children
• any other issue parties to the Plan may have.