Responsibility versus Contribution in Family Therapy of Substance Abuse and Other Disorders

Abstract

The issue of responsibility in the treatment of substance abuse and other problem behaviors is examined. A distinction is made between responsibility which involves accepting what one does to oneself, and contributions which include all the influences in the environment, both past and present, that have made substance abuse an attractive option. Several case examples are offered to illustrate how the distinction between responsibility and contribution can add clarity to family interventions, enhance personal responsibility-taking, and diminish blaming and fault-finding.

Key Words:

• Family therapy
• substance abuse
• responsibility
• case studies