FAMILY DYNAMICS MOBILE DVD (18 minutes) * Watch the 2 min. Trailer *
The Impact of Chemical
Addiction on the Family
Stan Rowett, M.A., Marriage and Family
Therapist This new and profound DVD has
been created to help chemically
dependent people and family
members understand that recovery
is not complete or sustainable until
all family members address and let
go of the dysfunctional survival
behaviors they have adopted to cope
with their loved one’s addiction. Viewing this DVD expedites the process of breaking through
the denial demonstrated by most family members, and opens the door for the healing
process to begin across the family system.
When I first started working in this field as a family therapist in the 1970's, treatment was
focused on the alcoholic/addict, while the family members were asked to sit by with patience,
understanding and forgiveness. Families were usually relieved that their loved one was finally
getting the help that they needed, and they rarely engaged in the recovery process
themselves. Because denial and lack of awareness regarding the impact of their own
attitudes went unaddressed, relapse often ensued.
Ever since my graduate days I have been intrigued by the concept of Homeostasis. When
one segment of the family goes out of balance (whether it be due to illness of a family
member, a parent going into the military, or loss of job), families compensate to restore
balance. In the chemically dependent family, this dynamic is known as Survival Behavior.
To make it easier for family members to grasp the concept of Survival Behavior and to accept
the need for their participation in family therapy, I developed an interactive Family Dynamics
Mobile. The Mobile visually and dramatically illustrates the behavioral and emotional coping
behaviors adopted by various members of the family during their loved one’s addiction. The
Family Dynamics Mobile is also used to demonstrate how families can return to Homeostasis, essential to everyone's recovery.
In the DVD, I demonstrate the use of the Family Dynamics Mobile and describe the Survival Behaviors typically found in families
coping with a chemically dependent member. The DVD is effective with small or large groups via a computer, large screen TV, or
other projection devices. The DVD allows the operator, the therapist or instructor the flexibility to leave the room while the DVD is
playing and return to process and reinforce the information with the family members, after the DVD has ended.
If you work with chemically dependent families, this video is a must for your library.
This DVD uses the roles and challenges required for recovery described in The Family Trap by Sharon Wegscheider Cruse.
The DVD is used as a stand-alone teaching tool or in combination with the actual Family Dynamics Mobile.
©2011 Stan Rowett, MA, MFT
DVD
VIDEO
Stan's new DVD really enhances the mobile itself, and it can be
used very effectively on its own. Used either way, the DVD is
another great teaching aid, demonstrating how the chemical
dependency of one family member affects the whole family.
– Gordon Coburn, MFT
Chair, Alcohol & Drug Counseling Dept.
Santa Barbara City College
Providing tools for professionals who deal with chemical addictions
Click images for larger view
FAMILY DYNAMICS MOBILE DVD (18 minutes)
* Watch the 2 min. Trailer *
The Impact of Chemical
Addiction on the Family
Stan Rowett, M.A., Marriage and Family
Therapist
This new and profound DVD has
been created to help chemically
dependent people and family
members understand that recovery
is not complete or sustainable until
all family members address and let
go of the dysfunctional survival
behaviors they have adopted to cope
with their loved one’s addiction. Viewing this DVD expedites the process of breaking through
the denial demonstrated by most family members, and opens the door for the healing
process to begin across the family system.
When I first started working in this field as a family therapist in the 1970's, treatment was
focused on the alcoholic/addict, while the family members were asked to sit by with patience,
understanding and forgiveness. Families were usually relieved that their loved one was finally
getting the help that they needed, and they rarely engaged in the recovery process
themselves. Because denial and lack of awareness regarding the impact of their own
attitudes went unaddressed, relapse often ensued.
Ever since my graduate days I have been intrigued by the concept of Homeostasis. When
one segment of the family goes out of balance (whether it be due to illness of a family
member, a parent going into the military, or loss of job), families compensate to restore
balance. In the chemically dependent family, this dynamic is known as Survival Behavior.
To make it easier for family members to grasp the concept of Survival Behavior and to accept
the need for their participation in family therapy, I developed an interactive Family Dynamics
Mobile. The Mobile visually and dramatically illustrates the behavioral and emotional coping
behaviors adopted by various members of the family during their loved one’s addiction. The
Family Dynamics Mobile is also used to demonstrate how families can return to Homeostasis, essential to everyone's recovery.
In the DVD, I demonstrate the use of the Family Dynamics Mobile and describe the Survival Behaviors typically found in families
coping with a chemically dependent member. The DVD is effective with small or large groups via a computer, large screen TV, or
other projection devices. The DVD allows the operator, the therapist or instructor the flexibility to leave the room while the DVD is
playing and return to process and reinforce the information with the family members, after the DVD has ended.
If you work with chemically dependent families, this video is a must for your library.
This DVD uses the roles and challenges required for recovery described in The Family Trap by Sharon Wegscheider Cruse.
The DVD is used as a stand-alone teaching tool or in combination with the actual Family Dynamics Mobile.
©2011 Stan Rowett, MA, MFT
Stan's new DVD really enhances the mobile itself, and it can be
used very effectively on its own. Used either way, the DVD is
another great teaching aid, demonstrating how the chemical
dependency of one family member affects the whole family.
– Gordon Coburn, MFT
Chair, Alcohol & Drug Counseling Dept.
Santa Barbara City College
Providing tools for professionals who deal with chemical addictions
Click images for larger view
