Community Reinforcement and Family Training

What is CRAFT?

CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) is a programme designed to teach family members of people with substance use disorders how to keep their loved ones out of problems. It’s an excellent way to assist someone who refuses treatment or refuses to realise they don’t have control over how much they consume.

Instead of a traditional intervention, in which family and friends gather and confront the person in an attempt to enrol them in a rehabilitation programme, the CRAFT method encourages significant-close others (dubbed CSOs by the programme) to reward their loved one for choosing sobriety or demonstrating control.

Another essential feature of this approach is that it encourages families to take a step back and let awful things happen when the person consumes.

While the CRAFT approach aims to get the person in your life who is dealing with an addiction to recognise they have a problem and seek assistance, it also helps loved ones prioritise their mental health and increase their happiness.

The CRAFT method is a more humanitarian and courteous approach to the situation. Everyone gathers to confront the person with a substance use disorder to compel them to get treatment. What if they refuse, grow enraged, and become distanced from their loved ones as a result of the intervention?

The CRAFT method gives family members more power and allows them to begin using positive reinforcement as soon as they see an issue.

How to Use the CRAFT Method

The CRAFT approach uses positive reinforcement to recognise someone abusing substances when they don’t drink or consume. This could imply that you do something pleasant for them or say something nice to them.

The CRAFT technique, in particular, emphasises the following behaviours:

• Determine when the addicted person is most tempted to use substances. Is it when they’re feeling down? Is there a specific time of day? This can also assist loved ones in determining if they are unintentionally causing a trigger.
• In every element of their lives, communicate more clearly with the user (and vice versa).
• Encourage non-using and pro-social behaviour with consistent positive reinforcement.
• When someone is misusing, take away positive reinforcement and let them deal with the repercussions on their own.
• Assess, determine, and treat any issues that may be causing them distress. It also motivates loved ones to reward themselves for working to improve their situation.
• Learn about the best times to bring someone with a substance use disorder into treatment by working with a CRAFT-certified therapist. Then, if the person battling addiction agrees, learn how to take action right away.
• Support your loved one during therapy, and be patient if the person struggling with addiction drops out early.

The Impact of the CRAFT Method

The CRAFT method has been shown in trials to successfully get people who are struggling with addiction to confess they have a problem and seek treatment.

When 62 worried family members agreed to try the CRAFT method under clinical supervision to see if it worked, 74% of them were successful in getting their loved ones into treatment.

According to another study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the CRAFT technique assisted 67% of those addicted to substances in seeking treatment. In comparison, Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, support groups for families supporting someone with a substance use disorder, were used by roughly 29% of users.

It should also be noted that it could take some time. The family members in the research above were observed for six months before going on to the second phase when the person abusing substances begins to receive treatment. It’s vital to remember this, so you don’t get frustrated, but it can be beneficial if done consistently.

CRAFT vs Al-Anon/Nar-Anon

Al-Anon and comparable support organisations (e.g., Nar-Anon) are families of families of those with addictions. The most well-known of these organisations are Al-Anon and Nar-anon. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are based on the AA and NA principles, but they focus on the experiences of relatives who love someone who is addicted. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, like AA and NA, include a spiritual (but non-religious) component and employ the 12 steps (which are identical to AA/NA but focus on the relative’s experiences) to assist members in coping with their loved ones’ drinking or drug use.

The small number of research studies on Al-Anon and Nar-Anon appear to boost family members’ well-being but may not be very effective in getting the addict into treatment. In reality, according to a 1999 research, about 1 in 10 family members who participated in Al-Anon successfully got their loved ones into treatment.

Comparing Al-Anon to CRAFT is somewhat unfair because Al-Anon was never intended to have the purpose of inducing a change in the loved one but only to provide support and benefit to the family. However, because Al-Anon is sometimes the only resource recommended to family members, it’s essential to look into the distinctions.

In the following respects, CRAFT differs from Al-Anon/Nar-Anon:

• CRAFT has little to no spiritual content. However, it is okay if a family member wishes to incorporate spiritual or religious practices or communities into the skills they learn in CRAFT. In CRAFT, however, there is no emphasis on employing or possessing a “higher power.” However, some CRAFT-based programmes do incorporate spirituality into their work, so there are options if this is important to you.
• You will be empowered to make changes in your loved ones and your own life as a result of CRAFT. You do not have to confess that you cannot stop your loved one from drinking or using, unlike Al-Anon/Nar-Anon. Instead, you’ll discover how to help your loved one quit or minimise their drug or alcohol abuse and reclaim your life from their addiction.
• In CRAFT, there are no “steps.” You’ll discover abilities that you can apply at different times and in other settings. Although there is a recommended learning sequence, after you acquire the skills, you will be able to tailor them to your specific needs and circumstances.
• CRAFT can be done in a one-on-one setting with a provider, in a group setting with other family members, or on your own using books or videos.

CRAFT Challenges

One of the most challenging aspects of the CRAFT approach is teaching family members to let their loved ones fail. This could indicate that the person is extremely ill, misses workdays, or misses critical family events. As a result, they may experience resentment or hostility toward their family.

The CRAFT method encourages family members to help the addict understand the harm they’re doing to themselves and others. This can impact families, mainly if they rely on the individual to work and fulfil their obligations.

It can be more expensive to hire CRAFT-certified therapists, and some specialise solely in this kind of treatment. When seeking a therapist for a loved one or impacted family members, look at their website to discover what type of training and approaches they’ve studied. It’s also helpful to know if they’re familiar with the CRAFT technique and other treatment approaches, such as the Sinclair Method.