Respond to this post in 150 words: When families are involved in treatment planning it can be especially beneficial if families are committed to promoting positivity. This approach is not a one size fits all due to family dysfunction or deep-rooted issues which could hinder a person’s growth and recovery.  A few of the pros involved with allowing family to play a role in the treatment plan revolve around the aspect of increased support. When families are involved, it can promote a greater sense of understanding towards the individual that is receiving treatment. Support can be seen in emotional, material, financial and practical support. This type of genuine and sincere support can make a world of difference for a person trying to walk out a new life of recovery. Clients can also benefit from family involvement because it can open up communication lines. Many times, when an individual has been deep in addiction or incarcerated due to addiction, communication is shut down completely and emotions can be raw. When I worked in mediation previously, I was involved with mediation for incarcerated people who were about to be released. Two types of mediation were utilized. One involved having family members come into the prison and sit down with a mediator and their incarcerated loved one. This helped create a dialogue and allow both the individual and their family member/s to come up with a plan around the person’s release. The other form of mediation revolved around connecting the individual with a peer support specialist who come start to connect with and encourage the individual before release so that at the release date the person leaving prison already had a support system. Having a support system, albeit through family or other caring individuals, can make the difference in a person’s recovery. Strengthening a person’s support system provides them with a better outcome and the opportunity for a fail-safe plan.

Some of the cons with involving the family are concerning due to the aspect of enabling. Family members often feel obligated to the person in recovery and respond in ways that aren’t healthy. Family members may also make excuses or hide important details due to protection of the loved one which could hinder the treatment. Involving family members who are not invested for the right reasons could wreak havoc for the person trying to move forward. Family members may become controlling or force their own agenda. The person in treatment may feel uncomfortable or awkward expressing their “truth” in front of family. The family may also try and speak for the person and override what the client really needs. Some families may have a history of substance use and are still using any substances, which then opens another dynamic. Dysfunctional members cannot and should not be involved in any type of treatment and recovery planning. Coupled with all of this is the difficulty of promoting confidentiality when multiple people are involved in the client’s treatment plan.

Proper assessment and education of all those involved is vitally important. Creating boundaries in order to keep order, diffuse confusion and stop enabling is also a must. Encouraging communication amongst family members and offering all involved their own form of counseling services is extraordinarily helpful. Consent must be given by clients in order to share with other family members to protect confidentiality. Finally, there should be consistent review of a person’s treatment plan, progress and whether family involvement is needed and/or useful. Including family in an individual’s treatment plan can be an excellent choice in certain cases but isn’t good for everyone. The decision should be made on a case-by-case basis. Harm reduction should be utmost in the consideration of involving family members. If this creates more harm than good family involvement should not be a consideration.