Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)

Posted byRatel Health
Evidence-based mental health content, reviewed by psychologists and psychiatrists
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Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)

Evidence Status: Evidence-supported

Medically reviewed · Dr. Sarah Whitfield, PsyD · Sunday, 16 August 2026

A structured approach that teaches family members of a person with a substance use disorder skills to improve communication and encourage treatment engagement.

What Is Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)?

Community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) is a structured behavioral approach that works with family members or loved ones of a person with a substance use disorder, teaching skills to improve communication, reduce conflict, and encourage the person to engage in treatment, without requiring the person with the substance use disorder to be present.

How It Works

CRAFT is based on behavioral principles applied to the family system, teaching loved ones to reduce behaviors that may inadvertently enable substance use, reinforce non-using behavior, and use effective, non-confrontational communication strategies to encourage treatment-seeking. This description uses original explanatory language.

What Happens During Therapy?

Sessions work directly with the concerned family member or loved one, teaching specific communication skills, self-care strategies, and structured approaches for encouraging treatment engagement, without requiring the person with substance use concerns to attend.

Evidence and Effectiveness

Research supports CRAFT for increasing treatment engagement among people with substance use disorders and improving wellbeing among the family members who participate, with evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials.

Who May Benefit?

CRAFT may be considered for family members or loved ones of a person with a substance use disorder who is not yet ready to seek treatment, or for those seeking support and strategies for themselves.

Limitations and Considerations

CRAFT works indirectly by supporting the family member rather than treating the person with substance use concerns directly, so outcomes depend partly on that person’s eventual willingness to engage in treatment.

Finding a Qualified Therapist

CRAFT is delivered by addiction counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals trained in this specific family-focused model.

How Long Does Therapy Take?

CRAFT is often delivered over approximately 8 to 12 sessions with the family member, though length varies by individual circumstances.

Therapy vs. Medication

CRAFT is a family-focused behavioral approach; it does not involve medication directly, though it may support eventual engagement with medication-assisted treatment for the person with substance use concerns.

What Conditions Is It Used For?

Alcohol Use Disorder

A pattern of alcohol use that leads to significant impairment or distress, ranging from mild to severe.

Opioid Use Disorder

A substance use disorder involving a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.

Related Therapy Types

Community Reinforcement Approach

A behavioral treatment for substance use disorders that rearranges lifestyle reinforcers, such as work, family, and social relationships, to support sobriety over substance use.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

A collaborative, client-centered counseling approach that helps people explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change, commonly used for substance use concerns.

Medical Information Disclaimer

Ratel Health provides general educational information and does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or individualized medical advice. Information on this page is not a substitute for evaluation or care from a qualified healthcare professional. Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or another person, or to start, stop, or change treatment or medication without consulting an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

References

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment.
  • American Psychological Association. Clinical Practice Guidelines.