CRAFT has the ability to engage two-thirds of treatment-resistant patients to attend treatment.
Roozen, et al, Addiction, 10/2010
CRAFT Family Support Program
FACILITATOR
Comprehensive, Turnkey, Grant-Aligned Facilitator Program
About the Facilitator Program
The CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) program is a compassionate, non-confrontational, and evidence-based approach that empowers family members and friends to support a loved one struggling with substance use disorder—while also improving their own well-being.
Developed by Drs. Robert J. Meyers and Jane Ellen Smith at the University of New Mexico, the CRAFT model teaches families how to positively influence their Loved One (LO) without resorting to detachment or confrontation.
An evidence-based, compassionate, and effective approach for engaging a reluctant loved one into treatment.
While other approaches may focus on confrontation or detachment, CRAFT offers a different path—teaching families how to change their interactions in supportive, effective ways that can reduce or stop a loved one’s substance use and motivate them to seek help.
The CRAFT Family Support Program provides facilitator training, certification, and programming to conduct a CRAFT group.
Download Overview: CRAFT Family Education and Support for SUD Facilitator Training.pdf
CRAFT Three Main Goals
Reduce the affected loved one's harmful substance use
Engage the loved one into treatment
Improve the family member and loved one's family functioning
Family and Social Connections
A key factor in the recovery process is the presence and involvement of people who believe in their loved one’s ability to recover—those who offer hope, support, encouragement, and practical strategies for change.
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) strengthens these essential supports by enhancing Recovery Capital—the internal and external resources a person can draw upon to initiate and sustain recovery (Granfield & Cloud, 1999; Cloud & Granfield).
Family and social connections are one of the four core components of Recovery Capital. By building a strong support system, Recovery Capital helps individuals take the first step toward treatment, stay engaged in care, sustain long-term recovery, and reduce the risk of returning to use.
This Model of CRAFT
- Motivational Model: CRAFT is a motivational model of help based on research that consistently finds motivational treatments to be superior to confrontational ones.
- Motivation to Change: CRAFT shows family/friends how to develop their loved one's motivation to change by helping to figure out how to appropriately reward healthy behavior.
- 12-Session Group Model: This program is a group education and support model that uses a book and workbook and a 12-week structure easily implemented by a trained facilitator.
About the Programming. Pricing. Facilitator, Training Process.
Group Education + Support
The CRAFT Family Support Program is a group education and support model that is based on the work of Drs. Robert J. Meyers and Jane Ellen Smith and includes the Get Your Loved One Sober book, a companion workbook, and a 12-session curriculum facilitated by a trained leader.
Attendee Experience
Over the course of 12 sessions, participants learn and practice skills such as building rapport, using positive reinforcement, improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, increasing motivation for change, identifying patterns in substance use, knowing when and how to intervene, and more.
Enhanced Programming
An enhanced adaptation of the USARA CRAFT group model, Overdose Lifeline’s program builds upon the original framework with expanded facilitator tools, integrated content from the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC), and ongoing support to ensure successful implementation.
Evidence-Based Family Program
CRAFT is an evidence-based, research-supported approach grounded in behavioral science, with multiple clinical trials and systematic studies demonstrating its effectiveness in increasing treatment engagement, reduces substance use, and improves the mental health and functioning of family members.
Facilitator Training Process
Our facilitator training process is 100% virtual and streamlined. Welcoming new facilitators each week and equipping partners to introduce the CRAFT program locally in a short timeframe.
To earn facilitator designation, individuals complete
3 self-paced online prerequisite courses (approximately 4-5 hours total), and complete a 2-day (5 hours/day) live virtual training session via Zoom.
Program Pricing
Training, 12-week Curriculum + Technical Support $1050
Additional Budget Considerations:
Budget for attendee materials.
To participate in CRAFT, each participant receives a copy of the Get Your Loved One Sober ($10–$12) and the CRAFT Workbook (spiral bound) ($8–$12).
15% Multi-Program Discount
15% 6+ Trainers Discount
(discounts cannot be combined)
Bundle Includes
- Introduction: CRAFT Family Support Group Program
- The Brain and the Disease of Addiction 2.0 CE Credits
- Removing the Shame and Stigma of SUD 3.0 CE Credits
- Facilitator Resource Center
What people are saying
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — we offer a 15% discount for purchasing multiple programs and a 15% discount for six or more trainers / facilitators (discounts cannot be combined). Contact our training specialists to learn more information or take advantage of these discounts.
No. Overdose Lifeline does not charge fees based on the number of people who attend or sessions you conduct.
You'll want to budget for group attendee materials.
Each participant receives a copy of the Get Your Loved One Sober book by Dr. Robert Myers and Brenda L Wolfe available from booksellers for $10–$12/unit.
In addtion, each participate recieves their personal copy of the spiral bound CRAFT Workbook. At the completion of the training facilitators will receive workbook print-ready files and specifications for local printing - approximatley $8–$12 based upon quantity printed.
Everything is done 100% virtually* — from the self-paced prerequisites to the live Zoom training sessions — so there’s no travel required.
*On-site trainings are available for additional fees and travel reimbursement.
Training is self-paced, allowing you to move as quickly or gradually as needed.
Most trainees complete the prerequisite courses (approximately 4-5 hours total) within 1–2 weeks, then attend the 2-day live virtual session offered monthly.
At completion of prerequisites and training sessions, Facilitator Certificate and credentials are issued.
Licensed facilitators may deliver the program in-person or live virtual formats.
Facilitators may not record the CRAFT sessions for on-demand or public distribution.
The program includes access to turnkey program materials, including:
- Facilitator Kit: Get Your Loved One Sober book, CRAFT Workbook, Facilitator Binder.
- 12-session companion PowerPoint with CRAFT curriculum
- CRAFT Workbook print-ready file for local printing
- Facilitator group management toolsets
- Marketing and promotional toolset to announce your CRAFT group
- Optional attendee pre- and post-survey
- Ongoing technical support
All materials are available through Overdose Lifeline’s online resource center. Materials may be customize with local resources and information and co-branded.
When Overdose Lifeline publishes a program update, certified facilitators are notified by email with instructions on how to log in and access the updated materials in the online resource center. An Update Notification document within the resource center outlines what has changed and highlights any new or revised materials.
Yes. You can add resources and information to support your group attendees.
Certified facilitators have access to ongoing technical support. If you have questions about materials, delivery, or updates, you can:
- RSVP for one of the monthly Overdose Lifeline Technical Support Sessions, or
- Email our team at [email protected]