The 5-Step Method takes the strain out of addiction
The 5-Step Method is a brief talking treatment which helps people who are impacted by a loved ones alcohol, drug or gambling addiction. It is one of the few interventions which considers the individual as having needs in their own right, rather than being part of their loved one’s treatment. It is named as a recommended intervention for affected family members in the national strategy to respond to the harm caused by substance use in Ireland; Reducing harm, Supporting Recovery 2017-2025.
It is an evidenced-based intervention which is backed up by more than 20 years of ongoing research through Addiction and the Family International Network (AFINet). The 5-Step Method is used globally and has been shown to be effective across very different cultural and socio-economic groups and within different kinds of family structures.
This website is for individuals and organisations interested in learning how to deliver this intervention. If you are affected family member or looking for support for yourself please go to here to find the details of your Local Drug and Alcohol Task force
5-Step Method in brief
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What
The 5-Step Method helps people manage the stress and strain of having a loved one with an alcohol, drug or gambling addiction. It is based on extensive research into the experience of people affected by a loved ones addiction, which identifies the impact of stress and strain on the individual in front of you. It aims to empower someone to understand and accept their own needs as being separate to their loved ones, and develop skills to manage the impact of their ongoing experience.
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How
The 5-Step Method is a psychosocial intervention. This means it looks at educational, social and behaviour factors to improve our physical, social and mental health outcomes. Other examples of psychosocial interventions are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
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Who
The 5-Step Method is delivered to anyone over the age of 18 who is impacted by a loved ones drug, alcohol or gambling behaviour. There is no minimum literacy requirement if done with a practitioner. There is an adapted version of the 5-Step Method for 13 – 18 year olds who are impacted by a loved ones alcohol, drug or gambling behaviour; Step2Cope.
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Ensure people effected by a loved ones alcohol, drug or gambling behaviour have access to effective intervention to reduce physical and psychological impact on them.
To normalise their experience and raise awareness and society wide acceptance about the true impact their situation has.
To reduce the stigma associated with having a loved one dealing with addiction.
Empower them to manage their experience without developing a reliance of services to manage their day to day experience.
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The experience of having a loved one with an alcohol, drug or gambling addiction is complex and impacts on all aspects of life including financial, psychological, social, employment, parenting and relationships and can result in a wide range of experiences including bereavement, trauma, and mental illness.
No intervention will be able to meet every need. However, with the 5-Step Method, individuals will start to learn skills and the importance of self-care.
At the end of the intervention they will have identified ways to manage their experiences of stress through educational, behavioural and social strategies. This will allow them to consider further supports to address more specific issues which exist.
The original research was carried out in very different cultural and geographical regions, South America, Europe and India. How people were impacted by addiction was very similar, and the benefits from the 5-Step Method were evidenced within these different cultures and countries.
Training and Accreditation Developments
The training delivery for the 5-Step Method was developed as 14 hours of in-person training delivered over 2 days. Since 2020, the training has been delivered remotely over 4 sessions. The changes in training delivery have increased accessibility to practitioners nationally and internationally.
Developments in the accreditation process have been that trainees are asked to submit each step of their intervention, and obtain feedback from the assessor before they proceed onto the next step. These developments have been done to increase the opportunities for the practitioners to address any areas for improvement between steps. This development is aimed at reducing the need for any trainees to resubmit multiple steps for commonly occurring issues.
