Trusted people research
selected articles
Why is support from family and friends important?
Our opinion
In every day life most of us feel ourselves fortunate if we have support from family and friends and especially so to get us through difficult times. People with addiction problems often lose some or maybe all of their social support network before they start to work on changing their substance use. Make working with family or friends a top priority of addiction treatment.
Review :: How important is it to have supportive friends and family?
McCrady BS (2004) To have but one true friend: implications for practice of research on alcohol use disorders and social networks. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 18: 113–121
The importance of support from family and friends cannot be overstated. “To have one true friend” makes it more likely a person will stop drinking, go for treatment and more likely to get well in treatment. They will also have a better chance of longer term change. Of course some relationships have a negative impact on chances of recovery…
✔︎ Good influences on outcome...
A positive intimate relationship
A cohesive family that shares activities
A family that values the person with the problem
Higher levels of general support
Friends who are non drinkers (or drug takers)
Partner who gives clear and consistent positive support
Family and friends who support abstinence
✘ Bad influences on outcome....
Relationship dissatisfaction
High levels of expressed emotion
Stress from friends
Drinking or drug taking friends
Partner who withdraws or accepts substance use
Important studies :: Effect of a motivational style of talking
Apodaca TR, Magill M, Longabaugh R, Jackson KM and Monti PM (2013) Effect of a Significant Other on Client Change Talk in Motivational Interviewing. Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology 81: 1-21 doi:10.1037/a0030881.
Bourke E, Magill M and Apodaca TR (2016) The In-Session and Long-Term Role of a Significant Other in Motivational Enhancement Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorders. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 64: 35–43 doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2016.01.008
These two studies used a similar methodology to analyse whether talk by a significant other was supportive of change or not, and then what was the response of the problem drinker.
Statements supporting change are: encouraging, supportive and/or appreciative of the client as a person and not directly related to their drinking, advice, suggestions, possible solutions or actions that could aid behaviour change. Also language categorised as: desire, ability, reasons, need, commitment, or taking steps toward the person making a change in their drinking.
Statements not supporting change are: giving an order, command, or direction in language that conveys disapproval, disagreement, or negativity. Also arguements, shaming, or blaming the person, minimising the severity of the drinking, reference to barriers to change, or highlighting positive aspects of drinking, or self-disclosure including references to their own drinking.
What happens if a Trusted Person supports change or goes along with reasons for not changing?
✔︎ When a trusted person (significant other) says things that support change, the person with the drinking problem is more likely to say things that indicate a desire to change, which in turn predicts actual behaviour change. This is a motivational style of interacting
✘ When a trusted person (significant other) says things against change the person with the problem is likely to talk about carrying on as they are or increase their substance use.
How do addictive behaviours harm others?
Our opinion
Having a friend or member of the family with an addiction problem is at best stressful and at worst can be traumatic. It follows that specialist addiction services need to make provision for people who have been harmed by trying to help or simply by living with a person misusing alcohol or drugs.
Qualitative analysis :: Finding help when you have an addicted child.
Missouridou et al (2023) Family Recovery from Addiction and Trauma: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Mothers' Lived Experience Adv Exp Med Biol 1425: 105-117. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_10 (PubMed link)
The researchers interviewed ten mothers who had lived experience of living with an addicted child. They describe a threatening, unpredictable and disruptive atmosphere in the home with scenes of violence and neglect. The mothers themselves had often been in problematic relationships including husbands who were abusive and had addiction problems. Addiction is described as a traumatic experience that erodes everything healthy in the family.
The aim of this study was to illuminate the pathways taken by families, particularly mothers, from the early disruption and heart break of what felt like the loss of a child. The researchers cite the “loss of illusions” framework whereby mothers are expected to believe: (a) my world is benevolent, (b) my world is meaningful, and (c) I am worthy”. For mothers and other family members, these beliefs were shattered by the chaos and the stigmatising secret of substance use which eroded normal communication and social support.
Mothers’ four step journey from traumatic loss and isolation to post-traumatic growth
Loss of relationships and healthy family life. Their children's behaviour radically changed: the child they knew was gone.
Eventually recognising the problem and then the whole family seeking help and experimenting with coping strategies.
From a low point of feeling guilt and low in self esteem to understanding what had happened and re-building.
Reconnecting with others and getting support from family and friends helps.