Discussion Questions
Chapter 13: The Family Program
1. What are some concerns that you have in regards to working with family members who
are unsupportive of a client’s recovery efforts? What steps would you take to facilitate
family member’s engagement in the recovery process?
2. Which of the common family problems described in the chapter do you believe you will
be the most effective at helping family members with? The least effective? Explain your
answers.
3. What do you see as being the most challenging aspects to working with individual family
members’ issues of enabling and codependency?
4. The credo of the addicted family: “Do not talk, do not trust, and do not feel” was
introduced in this chapter. The three rules make it difficult for family members to share
their thoughts and feelings. What steps can you see yourself taking that would help
family members talk about their problems, rather than keeping them secret?
5. What are the primary issues that must be addressed in conjoint meetings with family
members when discussing the plan of recovery? Discuss some the factors that need to
be taken into account when working with family members who struggle with their own
mental health issues or addiction?
6. Dynamics of divorce may be prominent in adolescent treatment. The client may live
between two different households, possible several miles from each other. Discuss how
this may complicate conjoint sessions and family recovery plans? What are some
solutions to the complications you discovered?