ABSTRACT
Motivation is fundamental to behavioral change for clients with substance use disorders (SUDs), and often accurately predicts treatment outcomes. Although change is a naturally occurring process that is influenced by numerous factors, counseling interventions can speed up clients' change processes. Brief interventions enhance clients' motivation for change through increasing their awareness of a need to change and increasing their self-efficacy. This activity increases group members' awareness of the need to change by exploring specific ways their substance use impacts their family members or significant others. Clients with SUDs are often unaware of how their behaviors affect their family members or significant others. My Family Support Group addresses this issue through the use of a group role play to increase clients' awareness of how their substance use affects family members or significant others. Role-playing intensifies emotions and increases group interaction. Group leaders should assess each client's relationship stability prior to conducting My Family Support Group.
