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Family patterns are routine ways in which we interact with our family. In the SUD family, there are patterned interactions that regularly occur. Even after substance use ends, families carry feelings of expectation and fear into other interactions. To change patterns, we need to recognize and rewire them.
Name three negative patterns of interaction in your family
Describe each pattern — when it starts, who is involved, and how it unfolds.
Write your three patterns in a personal notebook — e.g. "Every conversation about money turns into an argument."
What feelings are created by these interactions?
Ex. Sadness, anger, fear, etc.
Describe the feelings these interactions create.
What would be an ideal outcome?
"We could stop having the same argument."
Describe the ideal outcome.
Use your examples above to create a new response. Think about opportunities to interrupt the pattern:
Change the thoughts
Change the response
Choose a behavior (as a family) to interrupt the pattern
Reframe negative thoughts with positive or neutral thoughts
Choose a different action
Describe how this might look for you
Describe what interrupting the pattern could look like in practice.