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Re: Topic 8 DQ 1: Suppose you are a therapist and have been working with the McCarthy family. In your work with the McCarthy family, you have helped the family identify some of its dysfunctional, addiction-centered family rituals. You are now approaching the end of treatment and want to help the family think about some recovery rituals that will help them to consolidate treatment gains and support their ongoing recovery. What are six creative family rituals that might be appropriate suggestions for this purpose and tell what function you think these rituals could serve for the family?  

The six creative rituals that might be appropriate to suggest for the purpose are going to therapy sessions together because family members usually gets distant because they absorb many of the consequences. Family members cannot talk openly about the issues that is harming them, so they do not talk at all. The family therapy is created to down the sensation of distrust, guilt, and stress. Families can be transformed from anger to well-oiled units that supports one another. This could help the McCarthy Family beause they can learn communication that could build trust. Preparing meals and eat them as a family is another ritual that would be appropriate to suggest because a family meal can allow everyone to reconnect at the end of the day that may have been stressful, lonely, worrisome. Each meal helps to build upon the work done in family therapy. Family meals could help the McCarthy's relationship with one another. Staying in touch with personal joy is a ritual that each member should abide by because recovering families needs to take time to do something that is relaxing and fulfilling such as, playing an instrument, cooking, crafting, etc. Activites like this can help boost mental health. It can also be a great comfort. The McCarthy family would benefit from this because doing things that they enjoy doing will keep smiles on their faces and a happy home. Exercising together on the regular could be a ritual for the family because this can reduce stress and depression. Exercising can help with family venting their worry and stress in helpful ways. For example, instead of yelling, they can run. It is a healthy way of healing. McCarthy family would heal physically and emotional from doing these types of activities together. Adhere to a sleep/wake schedule. Creating a regular sleep schedule, in which bedtimes and wake times  can help to prime the brain for deep sleep. People need sleep to feel their best and family members help with the recovery process neesd to be on their game. Doing this allows the family to think clearer if the set a schedule for the family. The family should educate and advocate because families that is going through addiction usually are getting blamed and criticized. It is important to advocate on the behalf of addiction because it shows that you are trying to make things better. Families who do this are consider brave because they are not being silent insteadtheir doing something about it. The McCarthy family would benefit by educating themselves and the community in the process. (The Recovery Village, 2019)

Reference: The Recovery Village 10 Tips to Help Family Members of Addicts Cope, (2019) Retrieved from  https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/family-friend-portal/tips-help-cope/#gref  

My response:

Good afternoon Jalonda

Re: Topic 8 DQ 1

Suppose you are a therapist and have been working with the McCarthy family. In your work with the McCarthy family, you have helped the family identify some of its dysfunctional, addiction-centered family rituals. You are now approaching the end of treatment and want to help the family think about some recovery rituals that will help them to consolidate treatment gains and support their ongoing recovery. What are six creative family rituals that might be appropriate suggestions for this purpose and tell what function you think these rituals could serve for the family?

Family rituals may be defined as behaviors or activities involving most or all members of the family which occur episodically, have a symbolic meaning for family members, and are valued by the participants so that they would like the activity to be carried on in the future. Rituals reflects family traditions and are related to cultural, religious and ethnic perspectives and practices. Despite differences in ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, rituals are universal to family life. Rituals I would include for the McCarthy family would include creating a Gratitude list, Mindfulness, Creative acts such as music, or art, Being in service (volunteering) Attending therapy together, attending a restaurant as a family at least once weekly. Rituals provide support and containment for strong emotions. Sometimes healing by use of normative or prescribed rituals may not fully satisfy the need of the person trying to heal.

Kim.

My response:

Good afternoon Kim,

Professor: Ellis and Class: Break from Technology

Ellis, I like your idea of intentional conversation in the car. Children say a lot to us if they don’t necessarily have to look at us while riding in a car. Class, Today’s world is fast paced and flooded with technology, which can take an enormous toll on a family’s communication and well-being. Do you have any ideas that relate to taking a break from technology? How might that be received by the younger generation? As always, response is optional.

My response:

Good afternoon Professor

Professor: Jalonda and Class: Family Dinner

Having dinner together is a prime opportunity for parents to engage their children, enhance parent and children communication and aid positive children growth. Families who have dinner together will interact and exchange information and express their feelings. I am sure the first dinner may be the uncomfortable, but over a period of time dinner will be a ritual which all members will be looking forward to.

What are some ways to help make this transition an easier one?

My response:

Good afternoon Professor

Professor: Rosa and Class: Adolescents and Their Families

Working with adolescents who are forced into treatment enforced by school or legal reasons parents have trouble understanding why their child is not getting "cured" or "better". Often times they are more resistant to becoming involved in the treatment process than the client is. But they are quick to call and complain when they learn that their child is continuing to use. Brown and Lewis explain that once an individual engages in the recovery process the family system is permanently altered. What are your thoughts on working with teens and their families through the developmental stages of recovery, outlined by with Gorski or Brown and Lewis?

 

My response:

Good afternoon Professor,

Re: Topic 8 DQ 2: Which developmental stages will be most challenging for you to work with and why? 

The weekly reading provides a developmental model. This model, integrated by Gorski, starts with transition, then on to stabilization, early recovery, middle recovery, late recovery and maintenance (Lewis, Dana, & Blevins, 2015). It is challenging for me to work with those in the stabilization stage. Transition is a time of hope, where the individual recognizes a problem and expresses a desire for change. Stabilization is a frightening stage for me to be a part of. I am uncomfortable with many of the symptoms of withdrawal. Though much of that takes place during transition, there is still residual in this stage. Clients will be at a place of recognition that this process is hard but will not yet have gained the skills for appropriate and progressive thoughts and behaviors. Relapse in my experience is high in this stage and can be disheartening. It feels like maintenance is far away and difficult to achieve. This is the most challenging stage for me.

Reference

Lewis, J. A., Dana, R. Q., & Blevins, G. A. (2015). Substance abuse counseling. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. doi:http://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2014/substance-abuse-counseling_ebook_5e.php

My response:

Good afternoon Laura

Professor: Laura and Class: Stabilization

People often self-medicate. When they stop the drinking, they are faced with the problems that they were working diligently to mask. As you noted, they may also be experiencing serious withdrawal and may need medical care or supervision. This is a challenging time for the client, the family, the sponsor and the therapist. Warning the client about this possible change and challenge is helpful. Many believe that if they stop drinking for a few days, things will be magically all better. This sets everyone up for a great fall. Class, how can we help clients and families through this difficult Stabilization stage? 

My response:

Good afternoon Professor