Navigating Life and Grief: Supporting Families Affected by Substance Use Disorder

Session Description: Family members—whether biological, extended, or chosen—are often overlooked in clinical, research, and policy discussions about the impacts of substance use disorders (SUD). For every individual with a SUD, multiple family members are affected, and the health and social impact of a loved one’s substance use on families is substantial. Families impacted by SUD are at high risk for their own health issues, including depression, anxiety, and exacerbation of substance use or chronic health problems. The impact of these consequences is heightened because of the stigma, guilt, shame and self-blame that often accompany substance use. As a result, families affected by SUD seldom seek support for themselves, which perpetuates their social isolation and increases their health risks. This session will describe the literature on the unique effects of SUD on families and how these effects can change throughout their loved one’s substance use trajectory, including research understanding the “special grief” people who are bereaved by overdose deaths experience. Dr. Osilla will also discuss a range of evidence-based strategies for supporting families. In particular, she will provide clinical insights on implementing the Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training (CRAFT) for families seeking tools to help a loved one who is resistant to treatment. Additionally, she will share grief support techniques for those grieving a drug-related death. This session ultimately aims to champion the needs of families affected by SUD, and it urges the field to both understand the nuances families experience and tailor effective strategies for serving this often-overlooked group.