Behavioural Family Therapy Essay

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Controversy exists if clients who are still using alcohol or drugs should be treated in integrated mentally ill chemical affected (MICA) programs. Total abstinence is the goal of treatment for all MICA clients, and working towards this goal can take several years (Sciacca, 1991). MICA clients are characterized with having a DSM-III-R, Axis 1 diagnosis of a severe mental illness, which exists independently of substance abuse. MICA clients usually require medication to control their psychiatric illness, and if medication is stopped, their symptoms are likely to emerge or worsen (Sciacca, 1991). “MICA persons, even in remission, frequently display the residual effects of major psychiatric disorders, such as marked social isolation or withdrawal, blunted or inappropriate affect, and marked lack of initiative, interest, or energy” (Sciacca, 1991, p. 2). It is often difficult to determine if psychotic symptoms are drug-induced, or if clients continue to have symptoms past the point of withdrawal. If a client has a primary psychiatric disorder…show more content…
“BFT is aimed at systematically teaching family members information about dual disorders and their treatment, and helping them develop more effective communication and problem-solving skills” (Mueser et.al., 2003, p. 205). BFT is important because between 25% and 50% of clients with dual disorders live with family member, and many of the family members don’t have extensive knowledge on their relative’s dual disorder (Mueser et.al., 2003). BFT therapy lasts between 1-2 years and can be divided into 6 phases of connecting with the family, assessment, psychoeducation, communication skills training, problem-solving training, and termination. BFT phases also coincide with the client stages of substance abuse treatment of engagement, persuasion, active treatment and relapse prevention (Mueser et.al.,

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