CRAFT Connect Family Support
You can be a crucial collaborator in your loved one’s recovery from addiction and/or mental health disorders.
Become a Family Support Member Today
Free
CRAFT Connect Family Support welcomes families referred through the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Patient Care Network.
How You Benefit
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A Safe Place
A safe place to share your journey with parents, spouses, partners, families and others who also have a loved one struggling with behavioral health disorders facilitated by trained family support peer specialists.
Access to 2 group meetings a week, 10 meetings a month
Family Support— Tuesdays, 6:00 to 7:30 pm (MST)
Invitation to Change — Coming in January 2023
Learn Skills
Research supported skills training curriculum that helps you and your loved one — whether they are in active addiction, have a mental health condition, are seeking treatment or in long-term recovery.
Events & Information
Monthly Community Discussion evenings. Specific topics vary, an opportunity to learn, ask questions and share your experience. Newsletter. Weekly family support email with continued learning and support information.
Real Help & Results
My expectations have changed due to the knowledge I have gained.
I am able to “self-regulate” and respond. I think about my words and actions instead of just reacting.
Our communication is calm and very open. I feel confident holding a conversation safely, without major blow ups
Sample Family Support Session Outline
This is an excerpt from the Family Support FS03. Effective Communication session.
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1. Be brief. Resist the urge to bring up too much. Keep it simple.
2. Be specific and clear. Focus on one thing.
3. Be positive while communicating what you want. Avoid blaming, name calling and over generalization.
4. Label your feelings. Describe the emotional impact on you in a calm, non-judgmental, non-accusatory way.
5. Offer an understanding statement. Try seeing it from the other person’s point of view.
6. Accept partial responsibility. Share a small piece of the problem.
7. Offer to help.
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Description text goes hereDiscuss: What do you notice about the principles of PIUS communication that might be different from how you have been communicating?
Negative “You” vs. PIUS statements.
As we read through the following examples of negative “You” and positive “I” (PIUS) statements think about the different messages they deliver.
Negative “You”: You always get drunk and embarrass me.
PIUS: I enjoy being with you when you don’t drink. I know it’s not always easy for you, so that makes it really special.
Negative “You”: You never listen to me when I’m talking to you.
PIUS: I understand that some of our conversations are upsetting, I’d love it if you could help me work them out.
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Step 1. Write down a verbal/text or email interaction between you and your loved.
Step 2. Using the seven principles of PIUS communication re-write what you might say the next time the same situation occurs to limit defensiveness and not lead to an argument.
I... (HOW DO YOU FEEL?)
when you...(DESCRIBE THE BEHAVIOR OR CONDITION)
because... (WHY DO YOU FEEL THIS WAY?)
I would like... (WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HAPPEN?)
I know... (YOU UNDERSTAND THE OTHER’S POSITION)
How can I help... (YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SHARE RESPONSIBILITY)
Step 3. Share your ”before and after” statements with the group.
