(Community Reinforcement Approach to Family Training)

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CRAFT is a system for helping friends and family members change the way that they interact with someone they love who is drinking or using drugs. CRAFT teaches family members how to stay connected, increase communication, and effectively encourage their loved one towards treatment, while taking care of themselves in the process. Unlike family therapy which would include the loved one, this approach is just for the friends and family members.

The amazing thing about family members is that they know a ton about their loved one who uses drugs or drinks alcohol. They know when the person drinks, what they are like when using drugs or alcohol, what the person’s moods are when they are intoxicated, what the person is like when they aren’t, and what is important to them in the long run. The family member has tons of information, but doesn’t know what to do with it. That’s where CRAFT comes in.

CRAFT (Community Reinforcement Approach to Family Training) originated at the University of New Mexico and was developed by Robert Meyers, Ph.D. and colleagues. Research on CRAFT shows that approaching 70% of families who receive CRAFT are able to help their loved ones start treatment within a year (Miller, Meyers, & Tonigan, 1999). CRAFT also helps family members improve their own lives, whether their loved one ends up seeking treatment or not.