Rehab for Substance Abusers and Their Families is not a simple thought, and there is no simple response. First, there must be clarity within the topic to support the most effective benefit for readers. In addition, to satisfy this need, our approach may be broader and deeper than first thought necessary.

This discussion requires foundational information explained long before the philosophical or even the practical discussion can move forward. We will make it straightforward for the purposes of this discussion and limit the category of substance abusers to those abusing legal, as well as illegal substances and reserve discussion of behavioral abusers for another time, though much dialog crosses over categories. What population, then, will this discourse rightfully encompass.

Abusers can be described as "those who continue to use substances after that usage causes disruptions in major life areas". Those life areas are the essential ones; family, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, employment, financial, and other relationships. Therefore,once abuse is established, significant others have some type of a role in the abuse. Does that begin to answer the "why" of addressing rehab for families along with the identified patient.

Continuing to determine our definitions for this discussion, rehab, rehabilitation, can be an opportunity for re-aligning choices that support more healthful and sometimes, law-abiding, life choices and styles. Having the terms clarified, on to the discussion of rehab for abusers and their families.

Generally speaking, substance abusers who choose to enter treatment, rehab, with the goal of success in mind are those who are internally motivated to make changes. When the motivation is external, including the desire to keep a job, or to please family, rehab results can be disappointing. The primary reason motivating the choice can influence much that follows.

To move the discussion forward, assume ideal circumstances; the identified client, the primary abuser, is self-motivated for rehab and signs on. Regardless of the modality of rehab, outpatient, in patient, individual or group treatment, short or long term, the client will be exposed to information. This will include education, direction, and support for making thinking changes as thoughts, feelings and attitudes drive behavior. Along with all of this is the over-riding opportunity to be substance-free.

As the client progresses,

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