ABSTRACT
Navigating the stormy waters of addiction is challenging not only for addicts and alcoholics but particularly for those who love them. The fact remains, however, that modes of treatment must incorporate family therapy if treatment outcomes are to improve. The barriers to integration of family therapy in substance abuse treatment are twofold: the need to provide mental health professionals trained in family therapy and the reluctance of insurance companies to reimburse for family therapy. The research that exists tends to focus on family therapy and adolescent drug abuse treatment. Conversely, acceptance of the status quo means that addicts, alcoholics, and their families must settle for multiple treatment episodes and wasted years of life spent in cycles of use, treatment, and relapse. In addition, to the cost of providing family therapy, the second obstacle lies in the reluctance of insurance companies to pay for family therapy.
