Coming Up for Air — A Toolkit to Help with Your Loved One's Recovery from Addiction & Mental Illness
Allies in Recovery
This podcast is comprised of three series addressing topics relevant to families dealing with a loved one's addiction:
- FAMILIES SPEAK: parents share wisdom, tools & experience using CRAFT (a proven method) with their loved one
- Partner CRAFT: co-hosts explore the specificity of using CRAFT with a romantic partner (or ex)
- VOICES from the FRONT LINES: Guests share expertise and stories
Allies in Recovery provides online learning modules, expert hand-tailored guidance, CRAFT support groups, info on treatment options, and much more.
Learn about membership options on alliesinrecovery.net
- FAMILIES SPEAK: parents share wisdom, tools & experience using CRAFT (a proven method) with their loved one
- Partner CRAFT: co-hosts explore the specificity of using CRAFT with a romantic partner (or ex)
- VOICES from the FRONT LINES: Guests share expertise and stories
Allies in Recovery provides online learning modules, expert hand-tailored guidance, CRAFT support groups, info on treatment options, and much more.
Learn about membership options on alliesinrecovery.net
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 8, 2023 • 29min
Treatment and Recovery: the Allies View
Treatment and recovery are not black-and-white ideas. With CRAFT, it's a matter of progress, not perfection. We want our loved ones to heal, to get their lives back. But change happens over time, and there are many ways to get there. Notice what's good, and work on the relationship. Treatment is how you engage them and help them learn what they like and enjoy it again. Be part of the joy, not a source of negativity. Be ready for when they're ready for new options.
Sep 1, 2023 • 27min
Homelessness: A Complicated Problem
It's important to use the AIR community and local and state organizations to help you find housing resources and be a knowledgeable advocate. Offer those resources without pressure, for when your loved one chooses to take them, but also know: having a loved one without a home is one of the most difficult and triggering experiences you may face.
Aug 25, 2023 • 24min
What Allies in Recovery Adds to CRAFT
AIR is an applied version of the original CRAFT research. It focuses on the family as the center of a system which also includes the AIR community, and as integral to the healing of the person with substance use disorder. You get help any time, online and in groups. AIR also focuses on cultural competency, helping you individualize the methods in a way that works for your family. CRAFT is a way of thinking and gaining openness, safety, and connection -- and you can make it your own.
Aug 18, 2023 • 24min
Does CRAFT Work for Couples, Too?
Though CRAFT is often used in parent-child or other relationships, its powerful tools work extremely well for couples, too. Learn how and why that's true.
Aug 11, 2023 • 31min
Should I Stop CRAFT If Treatment Begins?
The goal of CRAFT may be getting your loved one into treatment, but no matter the possible success of treatment, CRAFT tools and communication skills are a life-long practice and process of learning about yourself and your reactions, and becoming part of your loved one's treatment. There's always more to learn.
Aug 4, 2023 • 49min
Interview with Kathleen Cochran
Kathleen Cochran is a founder of Heart of a Warrior Woman and Facebook group Moms for All Paths to Recovery (MAP), places for mothers of children struggling with substance use disorder. Cochran practices harm reduction and supports individualized paths to recovery. Hear more about her story.
Jul 28, 2023 • 23min
What If I Only Get 15 Minutes?
A listener writes in to ask what to do when there's only 15 minutes a day to talk to a loved one. How do you use that limited time? If they're using, you have to focus on the brief moments when you find they aren't, and be very specific in your requests so that they're do-able. If they aren't using, be patient, invite them to do things in a low-stakes way, and don't push conversation beyond the immediate.
Jul 21, 2023 • 24min
Using CRAFT When Others Aren’t
Working with people who aren’t yet on-board with CRAFT? Learn the tools, and engage with the site, the podcast, and the groups. Put it into practice, even if you’re doing so alone. Look for chances to show the material to someone who’s reluctant – teaching the tools will mean you learn more thoroughly yourself. There are two big benefits to solo action. Primarily, your loved one might get into treatment. But regardless, you’ll feel more connected to them. If you use these tools with everyone, it will lead to more connection there, too. Your work will pay off.
Jul 14, 2023 • 23min
How Do I Know When They're Using?
Our hosts examine two questions raised by last week's "functional analysis" episode: how do I know when my loved one is using? And what if they're using all the time? It's behaviors that matter more than whether you're exactly right -- learn to practice close observation, step forward when it feels good and they're doing well, and step back when something feels bad or off. It's a learning process, so don't expect to be perfect immediately.
Jul 7, 2023 • 27min
How Do I Use "Functional Analysis?"
The “functional analysis” of Module 3 is a powerful tool that
helps you examine what happens around times of use, and move from
reacting unconsciously to gaining a fuller understanding that allows
for concious choices. So stop, take the time to go through this
process, and think about incremental shifts. And it’s important to
do it again later, when there’s been time for behavior to change
over time.
