Family Therapy with Drug Addicts' Families

Abstract

Italian experience with family therapy of drug addicts is based on research started in 1970. Italian data are comparable with experiences in other countries. Symptoms are considered relevant to the organization of a certain family system. Family therapy is widely used in the public and private health systems. More than 80% of the treatment centers use it, and there is continuous updating of professionals working in the field. Two main strategies are used: structural and counterparadoxical intervention. These therapeutic approaches are explained in light of a typology of drug addicts established from empirical research data, with a discussion of the evaluation of the results depending on the kind of psychopathology. Family therapy with couples is also discussed, and a typology of couples dealing with drug addiction problems is presented.