A Parallel Process: Home Therapy While the Adolescent or Young Adult is in Residential Care

Abstract

With the increased rate of addiction and substance abuse within the adolescent and young adult population, many families find themselves seeking guidance, support, and education on addiction. The residential treatment process provides the young person with education on addiction as well as tools for recovery . In conjunction, it is imperative as treatment providers and clinicians to embrace the family system in the recovery process . As family members recognize the impact of addiction, education provides the family with the ability to gain awareness and insight into their own role in the addiction process, as well as their new role in the recovery process. The family begins to shift from focusing on the identified patient to recognizing the need for healing within the entire family system . This Parallel Process begins when a client enters residential treatment and the family begins their own treatment process as well. As clinicians, strongly encouraging the family to participate at the fullest level suggested by the residential treatment program is a necessity. Then continuing the treatment process at the outpatient level will provide the family system with added benefit in their preparation for their loved one’s return home. Family members benefit from learning about their ability to influence their young person by developing new healthier coping skills , and the clinician can support the family in developing a reentry plan for when their loved one returns home. This chapter will cover many of these topics in depth.

Appendix

Early Sessions

• Review with the family past and present crises.

  • Explore the family history of behaviors, addiction, and their relationships in general.

  • Map out a structure of the family unit, both historically, and ideal for the future.

• Identify with the family the early warning signs of substance abuse .

• Identify individual and family strengths, as well as healthy coping skills and self-care .

• Identify past unsuccessful strategies /interventions .

• Action Steps:

  • Support family in developing coping skills and focus on self-care.

  • Encourage family to attend family programming offered by the treatment center.

Middle Sessions

• Support family in identifying and communicating their feelings/reactions to substance abuse in their family.

• Assist and educate the family in developing their own sober support system .

• Educational information: following families participation in a family program, continue to discuss the information gained, and if no family program was available, provide needed education through additional family sessions .

• Action Steps:

  • Encourage family members to attend support groups: Al-Anon , Alateen , Nar-Anon , and other family aftercare programs.

  • Completion of a family program, or further education within family sessions.

  • Encourage open and honest communication on thoughts/feelings by asking the family members to participate in daily feelings/ thoughts check-in with one another.

Later Sessions

• Focus on personal strengths of individuals in the family, as well as family system strengths.

• Develop short-term goals and long-term goals based on findings throughout therapy sessions.

• Action Steps:

  • Begin developing the family’s Blueprint for Success .

  • Identify areas of change for the family system and implement these into the Blueprint for Success.

  • Scheduling appointments for the child returning home. Appointments with an individual therapist and psychiatrist for medication management (if necessary).