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Help! Finding CRAFT-Savvy Resources Is a Challenge!

Laurie MacDougall July 9, 2024
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Photo credit: new life house

Proven effective though it is, the CRAFT approach is still relatively new. As member Carmengpc30 has been learning, therapists and other SUD service providers are often still unfamiliar, or only partly familiar, with all the benefits its brings. Whether or not a fully CRAFT-trained service provider is available in your area, a focused and informed search is the place to start. Laurie MacDougall goes over the strategies and resource categories to explore.

Hello, I am new to the website but have been listening to the podcast “Coming Up for Air” on Spotify since November 2023. My 27-year-old son suffers from SUD and is currently going through his second relapse for opioid addiction. Right now, I am desperately seeking help in the Orlando, Florida area. Just to find the right resources, services or facilities to help our loved one is extremely difficult, but to find the right place or professional that aligns with your philosophy and CRAFT methods is even harder. Any help with this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for being out there educating people on this terrible disease.

Hi Carmengpc30,

It’s wonderful to hear that you are already working on learning and implementing CRAFT. Your focus, dedication, and love are apparent and will significantly benefit your relationship with your Loved One (LO).

Finding resources and counselors in Florida who align with the CRAFT philosophy will involve a thoughtful and focused search. Here’s how you can proceed:

For Loved Ones with SUD

      1. Look for peer recovery community organizations. Peer recovery community organizations (peer RCOs) are excellent resources for our LOs. They focus on providing person-driven support, which aligns well with CRAFT. These organizations can help your LO find support and resources tailored to their individual needs. Getting connected to peer recovery specialists can help provide a community. RCOs offer a multitude of different types of meetings and activities for participants to engage in. They can help people with transportation to appointments, job hunting, housing, and so much more.

        Here are a couple of RCOs in the Orlando area:

      2. Consider looking for therapists who take a harm reduction approach. Harm reduction therapists focus on creating a person-centered, strengths-based approach that aligns with the personal goals of the individual. These clinicians are well suited to supporting your LO by meeting them where they are and working towards achievable goals. You can find clinicians in your area through directories like Psychology Today or the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) by filtering for those who mention harm reduction in their profiles.
        • SMART Recovery: Offers meetings and resources that emphasize self-empowerment and mutual support.
        • Weblebrity Movement: Provides culturally-based healing for Native Americans and other communities.
        • LifeRing Secular Recovery: Focuses on self-help and peer support without a 12-step approach.
        • Refuge Recovery: Utilizes Buddhist philosophy and meditation.
        • Medication-Assisted Recovery Services (MARS): Provides peer support and resources for individuals using prescribed medicine. Look for groups that offer alternatives to the traditional 12-step framework. There are a multitude of groups that provide varying approaches. There are also mutual aid groups designed to address the unique struggle of substance use disorder (SUD) and to reduce the stigma of being on medicines for it. Here are some examples:

    For Family Seeking a Clinician

    1. Understand the role of CRAFT therapists. CRAFT clinicians are primarily for the family member. Their goal is to teach families strategies to help their LOs engage in treatment and reduce substance use.
    2. When searching for a therapist for yourself, communicate your approach. When meeting with potential therapists, be up front about your intention to use the CRAFT approach. Let your therapist know that you prefer this method. Share resources like this Allies in Recovery website or recommend the book Beyond Addiction by Jeffrey Foote, Carrie Wilkens, and Nicole Kosanke. Clearly outline what you want to work on with the therapist. Ask them directly if they are familiar with the CRAFT model and if they can incorporate its principles into your sessions. Use directories like those I mention above to find therapists who are knowledgeable about behavioral approaches like CRAFT.

With a little research, your LO can find a personalized program that aligns with the CRAFT philosophy, and you can add in some support for yourself as well. Stay focused and keep moving forward—your hard work and unwavering support will pay off.

Keep us updated on your progress, Carmen. Wishing you and your son all the best.

Laurie MacDougall

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Laurie MacDougall

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