CRAFT is a program designed to help a family member who has a partner, son, daughter or another member of the family who has refused to enter a substance abuse program for help. We teach each CRAFT patient how to navigate around the substance use and learn new ways of communicating with the substance user. We usually get a 70 % success rate, getting users to eventually go to treatment.

Our studies showed that all people who entered the program had a change in her well being. All of the clients reduced anxiety, anger, depression and physical problems like migraine headaches. Even clients who were not successful during the study also saw the same improvement as successful cases.

The non-user coming into treatment can change the way they treat other family members not just the users. We teach communication, anger problems and many other ways to take care of themselves and supporting other members of the family.

The basic principles of CRAFT is to teach family members to learn new skills in how to deal with a family member who is using alcohol or other drugs. We look to help change the behavior of the clients so he or she does not continue to use old school ways that do not work.

Usually several sessions on how to take care or yourself. The stronger the non user becomes, the more likely they are to change how they approach the substance use problem. CRAFT is an Evidenced program using skills trainings and other methods to help our clients.

CRAFT is set up for the client to work on what she or he decides to work on.. There is no confrontation, no labeling, no lecturing. We use a conversation style to help clients believe in themselves. We use skills training at the pace of the client and let them pick and choose what goes next.

By using some positive reinforcement and stop putting the users down or disowning the user. Once the client starts to change and become kind the user begins to see the effort of the client and begins to get curious of the new changes. That is one way to increase the possibility that the user will enter treatment.

In almost every way. We did a clinical trial with AlAnon and CRAFT was superior in engaging their loved on into treatment. We teach skills that are easy to learn and use. We believe in our clients and follow their lead on how to work the problems. Alanon does preach that they cannot help the user. We teach them how to support the user in many different ways. We let the client know that she cannot change the user, but they can change how they grow and learn.

That is an empirical question only a clinical trial between the 2 will give us some information. CRAFT does use behavioral protocols but we do focus on emotions. Both CRAFT books have chapters on taking care of the client, or letting them talk about the severity of the problem and how we can help them with a negative belief system.

OCRD has been helped by using a behavioral approach. Upon entering treatment with a CRAFT client we use a Happiness scale including mental health problems. I suggest to all therapists that if there is a underlying mental health problem get assistant to a specialist or the OCRD. Right now CRAFT is being used for gambling problems, autism problems and and with parents of people suffering from schizophrenia and also misusing drugs or alcohol. There are many good uses for CRAFT. More studies are being done all the time from Iran to Finland.

Try using CRA the program that I learned before I developed CRAFT. It is imperative that your client needs to learn skills to help find a new lifestyle. I do believe that if people have nothing in there life we need to support them in getting active. I know, it is not easy but if they have nothing to do but drink things will not get better. Individuals need something in their life to live for.

We do point out unwanted behaviors but only where the client is fully trained and ready to move forward. CRAFT talks about negative consequences of the using behavior. CRAFT teaches how the client discusses these problems with the user. Role-plays are a big part of CRAFT. We spend time working on ways to meet with the user and practice what we have learned until the client is ready to try new tactics.

Yes several CRAFT studies with opioid clients have been successful. The Iran study was for opioid user and it was a successful trial.

Carefully. CRAFT teaches safety before we ask them to change their greetings to such an episode. I would find out if this is a one time thing or it happens all the time. I would prepare the client with teaching communication skills and problem solving training. Then we need to help the client find the optimal time to discuss this issue with the user. Be prepared for the client to walk away in a non aggressive and safe way. Then I would discuss what happened and what can we happened during our next treatment session.

The better they feel the less anxious anger and depressed they are the more likely the will work harder. Many clients believe they have caused the problem. Once we get that out of her head they will work harder as well.

I don't believe in the disease theory, I believe in addiction and how it affects our society.

Most people will drink alcohol and some will use drugs just to see what happens and they feel it brings them joy at the beginning of using. And it does. But in many cases people continue to use because they get sick. So they use to feel good and have fun, but they become addicted. Using is fun (positive reinforcement ) when a user gets sick he needs to use again to straighten out which is (negative reinforcement) it takes away the pain.

I don't like the work enabling it is pejorative. I think you should keep contact with her and use some of the CRAFT ideas with her as you go forward. I worked with a women for years with a similar problem and she stayed in contact with her son until he finally broke down and went to treatment. It may be along process but it works sometimes. If she gets sick and is vulnerable this is a good time to see if she will get help.

It is much harder if they live far apart but it may work. There are ongoing studies now to see if tele medicine will work with CRAFT clients. Have hope.

Take what you can get. If he stops one praise him and give him positive reinforcement when appropriate. See how they change and support them and eventually you can bring up the second drug, using CRAFT techniques.

Yes harm reduction has be used by some of the therapists using CRAFT. It may work since most people resist treatment because they think the cannot ever us any substances and it scares the hell out of them. Ease them in is a good possibility.

It it very different, but the client can teach the family if she wishes.