RehabWorks: A Framework For Treatment Success

"The untapped potential the family represents for improving treatment outcomes."

— Jim Savage, Rehab Works!

One of the most signifcant periods of my career was from 2000-2010, when I ran my own outpatient treatment program for teens and young adults. It was during that time that I got a really good education about what works—and what doesn't work—in addiction. And one of biggest realizations I had from that experience was how much of an impact the family can have on treatment outcomes. 

But I also saw how much support families need just to become a positive force in their loved one’s recovery.

I made the decision to sell my treatment program and turn my attention to working directly with families. I wrote a book called Rehab Works: A Parent's Guide To Drug Treatment, and developed an entire program to support families as their loved one was being treated for a substance use issue. 

Eventually I created an entire online education platform based on the material from Rehab Works!, and made it available for treatment programs to include in their own programs as an enhancement to their family services. 

The curriculum includes three modules. On their own, each module provides a valuable educational piece in and of itself relative to the respective area it addresses.

As I began using the program with treatment facilities and families I work with individually, I realized just powerfully how the three modules work together to reinforce a process that results in the family truly becoming a co-facilitator of the treatment process.

A 3-Part Framework For Treatment Success

1. Education.

The first thing families need is to be brought up to speed on exactly what the clients are learning in treatment about addiction: What it means to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, implications for treatment, and what recovery looks like.

2. Boundaries. 

The next thing to do is to help the family begin looking at the impact substance use has had on the family system, and give them tools for restoring healthy family balance. One of biggest challenges families struggle with is in the area of setting boundaries.

3. Measurement. 

Critical to treatment success is understanding the treatment process: how long it takes, elements of effective treatment planning, and how to make sure a solid foundation for recovery is being established

Going back through this process, we can see how each respective module builds on the previous module and creates a powerful, synergistic effect. Putting all this together and delivering this in a convenient way that keeps families engaged is where the magic happens.

Let's take a closer look at what's happening here:

1. Empowerment.

"Knowledge is power." The education piece empowers the family. Misconceptions and misinformation often lead to power struggles and/or feeling powerless—simply because they don't know what the right responses are to many many issues that come up during treatment. This in turn compromises the family's ability to provide effective support.

2. Action

Empowerment leads to the ability to take action. Module II is where the family receives tools for setting boundaries and restoring family balance. Becoming educated on Substance Use Disorder and treatment is what moves families from having baseless expectations of the client to being able to set informed boundaries. The key word there being informed.

3. Efficacy.

Recovery is only going to be as successful as the foundation upon which it's built. In RehabWorks, families learn how to use the Stages Of Change model as tool for:

1. understanding how to long the treatment process takes

2. gauging where their loved one is their own process

3. identifying potential cracks in the foundation—prior to discharge from treatment

4.  

Summary

The keys to effective family support:

a. Becoming informed about the problem that’s being treated

b. Learning their role in effective treatment support

c. Using this to make sure that key goals are being met:

• The treatment plan is being followed

• A solid foundation for recovery is being established

Why I Created RehabWorks

Treatment outcomes improve when families are engaged early—and effectively.

But most programs struggle with having the time or resources to make that happen, not to mention logistical issues for families. 

RehabWorks solves that by delivering immediate, high-quality family education starting on Day One of treatment.

Exclusive material based on over thirty years experience in the addiction treatment field, including:

• Engaging video lessons
• Interactive worksheets
• Downloadable PDFs (including excerpts from my book Rehab Works: A Parent’s Guide to Drug Treatment)

Plus, I host weekly live Zoom calls for families using RehabWorks—offering personalized support and deeper learning as their loved one moves through treatment.

“The goal isn’t just family involvement—it’s family empowerment.”

Who It's For—and How to Get Started

Whether you're a professional supporting families through treatment, or a family member impacted by a substance use issue, , RehabWorks fills the gaps where important details often fall through the cracks and end up compromising treatment efforts, and gives families the tools you need to truly become effective supporters of recovery.

PROVIDERS

Treatment facilities: RehabWorks is a turnkey solution for early-phase family engagement. It builds trust, supports treatment plan compliance, and lays the foundation for long-term recovery—without requiring additional staff time or live instruction.

Independent professionals: Interventionists, family coaches, and consultants can use RehabWorks to add structure and value to your services—offering an innovative new level support to the families you serve throughout the treatment process.

Want to see how RehabWorks might fit into your existing services?

Let’s talk—grab a time here: 👉 https://calendly.com/jimsavage/virtual-coffee-chat

(Quick call. Clear info. Easy to implement.)

FAMILY SUPPORT

If you're anywhere in the process of addressing a substance use issue with a loved one, RehabWorks can be a game changer as far as how treatment goes for you and your loved one. I offer private family support using the course as well. Book a free consultation and let's talk about how I might be able to help. 

Schedule A 45 Minute Free Consultation

Addressing a substance use issue with a loved one is one of the most difficult challenges a family may ever face. And if we’re being honest, there are far too many stories of treatment failure and heartbreak that could’ve been avoided. But the truth is—treatment can work. Miracles happen every day in programs around the world. My purpose with RehabWorks is to increase the chances of that success. And I know from experience: when families are empowered and informed, everything changes.