Restructuring involves modification of the family’s dynamics such as bonding and power positions within family members. For example:
Therapist: “So Tia should you be the one to make sure Sophia is in bed on time? Or is that something mum and dad should do? What do you think mum and dad?”
Contracting refers to an agreement between the family, the alcohol abuser and the therapist to work together on agreed issues. For example:
The alcohol abuser can make a promise that he will not use alcohol in the day of the interview and the wife and children make a promise to support the substance abuser to stay sober and also not to use enabling behaviours.
Reframing involves the therapist helping the family understand their interconnectedness and how the alcohol use serves an important function in their family. For example:
“Do you think that your drinking interferes with your marriage and stops you from being the father that you would like to be?”
Marking boundaries means limits between the individual, the alcohol use and the family are defined (Fals-Stewart, O’ Farrell & Birchler, 2006). For example:
The alcohol abuser is prohibited to have contact with his drinking friends for all the duration of the treatment.