Substance Misuse and Family Violence Treatment Fathers

Defining features of F4C delivered over 18 sessions: 1) focus on the fathers model of fatherhood as a motivator for change, 2) focus on understanding and identifying feelings, teaching skills to identify and change emotional dysregulation that lead to both SU and FV, 3) co-parent communication skills to reduce stress and improve problem solving, 4) restorative parenting (see Table 1 and figure 1)127. F4C focuses on reflective understanding of emotional experiences, how that impacts thoughts and behaviors related to SU, FV, co-parenting/parenting each session. Through greater self-awareness, the father is better able to apply coping, communication and parenting skills introduced to reduce SU and FV.

IDC is an individual evidence-based SU treatment84 that incorporates two elements: endorsement of the disease model and the spiritual dimensions of recovery. These elements differentiate the approach from F4C. IDC is influenced by 12-step recovery philosophy and participation in 12-step groups like NA are encouraged. The model places focus on the individual in recovery without a focus on fatherhood or co-parenting. IDC will be offered in an 18-session format.