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Can Anyone Help Me with the CRAFT Method?

man in therapy, hands up (small)

An Allies member wrote in wondering whether there are therapists trained in the CRAFT method to provide individual support and guidance.

This post originally appeared on our Member Site blog, where experts respond to members’ questions and concerns. To sign up for our special offer for the Allies in Recovery eLearning program, click here.

 

“This is a great resource, and helpful. One thing I would like to see are resources for family members who want individual support. Are there counselors out there who are familiar with this approach? I don’t find it helpful when someone I am consulting tells me to just turn my back on my son. I would like to have a resource for myself, someone who can listen and advise, with an up to date understanding of addiction, CRAFT etc.”

 

Counselors well-versed in the CRAFT method are few and far between

Even though the CRAFT method has been studied widely, it is poorly disseminated across the country. One reason for this is that insurance doesn’t reimburse therapy for the family. You need to be the identified patient in order for the work with a therapist to be reimbursed.

The person who developed the approach at the University of New Mexico does however provide a short list of CRAFT-certified providers:  https://www.robertjmeyersphd.com/download/CertifiedTherapists.pdf

 

CRAFT Method Online at Allies in Recovery

We built our members-only eLearning site to promote the CRAFT method and to make it accessible to everyone. The eLearning Modules and exercises on this site are designed so that you, the family member supporting your loved one, can learn the essential tools of the CRAFT method on your own. I invite you to view our Introductory Module to see how our program works. I understand that the site isn’t a substitute for solid therapy but there are many ways it can still be very useful.

 

How to get the most out of the member site:

  1. We encourage new members to start with a free phone consultation with an Allies in Recovery Advocate. The advocate will then guide you to the most appropriate resources on our site. You may also return for a refresher phone call if needed (also free of charge).
  2. As you just did, ask your questions. Reach out to others on the site who are using the CRAFT method in their life. Our private messaging feature allows you to maintain your privacy.
  3. The blog posts provide answers to questions our members have brought up. I’m certain there will be some posts you will relate to. Some recurring topics are: ‘natural consequences’, ‘rewards’, ‘negative emotions’, ‘relapse’, ‘self-care’ and ‘shame’
  4. Find a therapist you like and provide him/her with this site. You can then ask them to work through the Video Modules and eLearning exercises together with you.

 

An evidence-based approach

Families definitely need trained help to handle someone abusing alcohol or drugs. Our eLearning program using the CRAFT method goes beyond just an intervention. We help families address all the possible situations that come up.
 
The science has proven that turning your back on a loved one isn’t the answer. People with addiction need to know they are loved, and that support for getting help is available to them. They also need to be treated with dignity. Meanwhile, you need the right support to be able to react in ways that unblock the situation and move your loved one towards recovery.
 
We hope that the member website, with the personalized guidance we provide, the solid CRAFT-based teachings, and the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations, will meet your needs and move you forward.

 

A membership at Allies in Recovery brings you into contact with experts in the fields of recovery and treatment for drug and alcohol issues. Our learning platform teaches you the CRAFT method and guides you through the best techniques for unblocking the situation. Together we will move your loved one towards recovery. Learn more here.

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CRAFT is Working – Despite a Relapse

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Drug Testing at Home?

Guest blogger, Laurie MacDougall responds to a member explaining what she and her husband did when they let their son move back home to work on his recovery. They created a structure of boundaries that he had to abide by in order to live in their home.

I Have no Patience Left

The courts failed to enforce treatment for her daughter, once out of jail. Now her daughter’s life is a real mess. Take a look at how Dominique Simon-Levine lays out an approach to help this family member stay on track.

My Son’s Drug is Meth

She knows her son needs help, but he often disappears for long stretches of time right after he starts opening up to her. Read on for Dominique Simon-Levine’s insights as she lays out some important considerations for this situation.

Relapse and Job Loss

Her son is struggling with withdrawals from a recent relapse. As the family anticipates another job loss, and possibly more, this mom wonders how to proceed. CRAFT examines key considerations for this sensitive time.

He’s Angry And Pushing us Away

They began to implement CRAFT guidelines when he comes home high, trying new gestures and rewards to connect with him when he’s sober. Their son however, is defiant and angry with his parents, rejecting any kind gestures. He uses pot daily, misses school, and doesn’t see his use as a problem.

I Fear Pushing Him Back to Heroin

She has successfully used CRAFT taught on our member site to help her son into treatment for heroin addiction. He is now 9 months out and has not relapsed…but he is at home, and mom worries about his pot use and fleeting motivation, despite his continued visits to a therapist.

At Allies, We Believe…

For some individuals, medication can be an important complementary aid in recovery. At Allies in Recovery, we have no wish to stigmatize a treatment plan that includes medication. But here’s what we believe is of equal importance for helping a Loved One who struggles with addiction…

Our Strategy Is No Longer Working

They’ve always opened their home to him when he’s trying to get clean but he has now started taking advantage of his parents. He is getting high in their house, stealing from them, enjoying a warm bed and food while using. He’s not really interested in going into treatment. He knows what he needs to say to get through the door.

How Exactly Does This Website Help Families?

Allies’ founder and director, Dominique Simon-Levine, responds to questions from our Content Editor about the Key Observation exercises in our eLearning Center. This Q & A provides a clear explanation about how important these exercises are and how they help families understand their loved one’s addiction in order to successfully guide them to treatment.