FCT-R Treatment Philosophy

FCT-R is sensitive to the language utilized and the impact it may have in practice on all individuals involved in the treatment process inclusive of family members, professionals, community supports, stakeholders and others.

The term relapse, while having been used across the substance use treatment community for years, is under review for the potentially negative connotations and the impact it may have.  FCT-R is committed to ongoing inclusion of modernized terminology that aligns with current treatment initiatives. Relapse may be used interchangeably with the terms recurrence or return-to-use. FCT-R prides itself on honoring family voice not only during a family’s time in treatment but also as a guiding force for enhancing ongoing model development. We welcome and encourage families to use terms that feel real and true to them.  

FCT-R defines relapse/recurrence as a return to use following a ‘period of abstinence’.

We acknowledge that recovery is a journey inclusive of strengths, roadblocks, overcoming obstacles, periods of hardship, and celebrations.

FCT-R does not consider a return to use as a moral failure, lapse in judgement, or a justification for ending of treatment. We believe challenges are opportunities.

 FCT-Recovery Goals

  • FCT-R enables families to achieve permanency (stabilization and reunification) by improving Areas of Family Functioning through the Recovery Process.

  • FCT-R leverages the healing power of family attachment bonds to fuel structural changes to overcome the effects of trauma and dysfunction.

  • FCT-R activates the entire family system to play a role in the recovery process leading to rapid and sustained treatment outcomes.