Family Behavior Loop Mapping: A Technique to Analyze the Grip Addictive Disorders Have on Families and to Help Them Recover

SUMMARY

A family systems therapy technique applied to families suffering from chronic addictive disorders has been developed to document graphically information from a detailed behavioral analysis of family interactions. In a family interview, a step-by-step description of thoughts, feelings and actions of each family member is sought which is then drawn as a flow diagram for the therapist and family to study together. Contrasts between the thoughts, feelings and actions associated with episodes of using intoxicants versus abstinence facilitates crafting a mutually acceptable solution for the family that can be diagrammed, enacted and practiced. The theoretical basis for this approach is reviewed and the technique is described. Applications to other mental and medical disorders that have a chronic relapsing nature are suggested.

KEYWORDS:

• Addiction
• alcohol-other drug treatment
• family therapy
• family systems
• behavioral analysis
• behavior chain
• stages of change
• motivational interviewing