What is CRAFT: Community Reinforcement and Family Training?

Learn how it can help get your loved one into treatment.

Living with a loved one who refuses to get help for addiction or mental health is exhausting. You spend your nights worrying and your days arguing. You might feel like you are walking on eggshells. Most families think they have only two choices. They can either keep nagging or they can give up and walk away.

But there is a third choice that actually works better than fighting. It is called CRAFT. This stands for Community Reinforcement and Family Training. It is a science based way to help your loved one choose recovery without using force or surprise interventions.

At The Recovery Coach NY, Cindy Feinberg uses CRAFT to help families move from a state of crisis to a state of calm. She has over 20 years of experience guiding families through these exact struggles. This approach is a core part of her arsenal because it strengthens communication and increases the likelihood of long term success.

Key Takeaways

• Proven Success: CRAFT helps get resistant loved ones into treatment about 64 percent to 74 percent of the time.

• No More Fighting: This is an approach that helps families support loved ones without confrontation.

• Positive Rewards: It teaches you how to use positive reinforcement to encourage healthy choices.

• Nationwide Support: Cindy Feinberg offers these strategies to families across the country.

• Your Health Matters: A big part of CRAFT is making sure the family stays healthy and supported.

  
  

What is the CRAFT: Community Reinforcement and Family Training, model for addiction?

The CRAFT model is a set of tools for families who want to help a loved one who is not yet ready to change. It was developed by Dr. Robert Meyers. He realized that family members have more influence over a loved one than anyone else.

Instead of a one time "surprise" intervention, CRAFT is a way of life. It teaches you how to change the way you interact with your loved one every day. Cindy Feinberg uses this model because it combines compassion with structure so every person feels respected.

Why is it called "Community Reinforcement"?

The "community" in this model is you. It refers to the people who spend the most time with the person who is struggling. "Reinforcement" simply means rewarding the behaviors you want to see more of. By changing how you react to your loved one, you can actually change how they behave.

How does CRAFT differ from traditional interventions?

For a long time, the only way to do an intervention was the "surprise" method. You might have seen this on TV where a group of people corners a loved one and gives them an ultimatum. While that can work in some cases, it often leads to feelings of betrayal and anger.

Is CRAFT more effective than an "ambush" intervention?

Yes, the numbers show that it is. Traditional interventions only get people into treatment about 23 percent to 30 percent of the time. CRAFT has a success rate that is nearly three times higher.

Why is a non-confrontational approach better?

Cindy Feinberg believes that when families work together collaboratively, outcomes are stronger and last longer. When you use CRAFT, you are not attacking your loved one. You are building a bridge. This makes them feel safe enough to finally say "yes" to the help they need.

How do I use positive reinforcement to help my loved one?

Positive reinforcement is the "secret sauce" of the CRAFT model. It is about noticing when your loved one does something healthy and making that moment feel good for them. This encourages them to repeat those healthy choices.

What counts as a "healthy choice"?

A healthy choice does not have to be a big deal. It could be:

• Coming home on time.

• Helping with the dishes.

• Being sober for a few hours.

• Talking about their feelings without getting angry.

How do I give a reward?

A reward does not have to be money or a gift. Often, the best rewards are small and social. You could:

• Give a genuine compliment.

• Make their favorite dinner.

• Spend quality time doing something they enjoy.

• Simply say "I really appreciated that you did that."

When you reward the good stuff, your loved one starts to see that life is better when they are not using or acting out.

What are "natural consequences" in the CRAFT model?

A big part of helping someone is knowing when to step back. In CRAFT, we stop "enabling" and start allowing natural consequences.

What is the difference between a punishment and a consequence?

A punishment is something you do to "get back" at someone. A natural consequence is something that happens on its own because of their choices.

For example:

• Enabling: You call their boss and lie because they are too hungover to work.

• Natural Consequence: They miss work, and they have to explain it to their boss themselves.

Cindy Feinberg helps families identify where they might be accidentally "protecting" their loved one from the reality of their situation. When a loved one feels the weight of their own choices, they become much more motivated to change.

By using CRAFT, you can help a loved one see the benefit of talking to a doctor or therapist without making them feel like they are "crazy" or "broken." Cindy brings calm and clarity to these situations when mental health concerns threaten to overwhelm a family.

Take the First Step Today

You do not have to figure this out alone. If you are feeling overwhelmed, Cindy Feinberg can provide the calm and clear guidance you need. Real change happens when every voice is part of the plan.

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Q: Does CRAFT work for mental health too?

A: Yes. While CRAFT was originally made for substance use, it is incredibly helpful for mental health concerns and behavioral crises.

Q: How can it help with a mental health crisis?

A: When someone is struggling with mental health, they often feel misunderstood. CRAFT teaches families how to use Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques. This is a supportive way of communicating that helps people move through their confusion and find their own motivation to get better.

Q: How do I talk to my loved one without fighting?

A: CRAFT teaches specific communication skills that lower the "temperature" in the house. This is a core part of Cindy's individualized approach.

Q: What is the best way to start a conversation?

A: The best way to start is by being brief and staying positive. Instead of saying "You always ruin everything," you might say, "I really miss the times when we could just sit and talk like this."

Q: How do I use "I" statements?

A: "I" statements help you express your feelings without blaming the other person. Instead of "You make me so angry," try "I feel worried when I don't know where you are." This makes it harder for the other person to get defensive.

Cindy's respectful guidance ensures that every voice is heard in these difficult situations. This creates a strong foundation for long term stability.

Q: Why is family self-care so important?

A: One of the unique things about CRAFT: Community Reinforcement and Family Training, is that it focuses on you, the family member. If you are burned out and stressed, you cannot be an effective helper.

Q: Does my happiness depend on their recovery?

A: In CRAFT, the answer is no. This approach equips families with tools for their own support and self-care. It helps you find ways to enjoy your life even while your loved one is still struggling.

Q: How does my self-care help them?

A: When you take care of yourself, you model healthy behavior. You also become less reactive. When you are calm and clear, you can make better decisions for your family.

Q: How can a recovery coach help with CRAFT?

A: CRAFT is a powerful tool, but it can be hard to do alone. When you are in the middle of a crisis, it is hard to remember to stay positive. That is where professional guidance comes in.