Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training (CRAFT)

Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training (CRAFT) is a positive treatment approach designed specifically for people concerned about a loved one’s use of alcohol or drugs. CRAFT helps reduce conflict in the family and supports a healthier and more sustainable life for people caring for someone struggling with alcohol or drug use. It can be delivered individually or in groups.

Developed by Dr. Robert Meyers at the University of New Mexico, the approach uses non-confrontational behavioral principles to help the loved one become motivated to enter treatment. The focus includes finding and rewarding positive behaviors and allowing the loved one to experience the natural consequences of use. With these methods, families can learn to change interactions with the user – with a goal being to help drive changes in the loved one’s behavior.

In repeated clinical studies, the CRAFT approach has been proven to be significantly more effective than both the Johnson Intervention and Al-Anon at convincing a loved one to enter treatment. CRAFT methods provide families with hopeful, positive, and effective alternatives to address alcohol and substance problems in their families.