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Substance Use Continuum of Care

Education Session C

C4 - Building the Recovery-ready Family

Monday, April 27, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM MDT
Location: Bluebird 1C
NASW CCB ACCME ANCC APA NY-SW NY-MHC NBCC NADAAC
Substance use disorder (SUD) is often called a family disease because families absorb the uncertainty, carry the fear and often feel powerless to stop what is unfolding. At the same time, families hold incredible potential for support, stability and change. That is why they are essential in prevention, in treatment and recovery, and in the long process of rebuilding. This session will showcase that when families are informed, prepared and supported, they become a powerful force to change the course of addiction.

A recovery-ready family is not defined by perfection or the absence of conflict. It is defined by its posture: a stance of humility, preparation and practical support for a loved one who is experiencing substance use challenges or building a life in recovery. These families act less like judges and more like gardeners. They create conditions that support healing by offering stability, care and presence, knowing that growth unfolds
at its own pace.

This session will provide an overview of National Council's Recovery-ready Families Guide: A set of compassionate, adaptable principles designed to offer support and inspiration.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore the recovery-ready family guide and its usefulness in SUD treatment
  • Describe the Recovery-Ready Families framework.
  • Summarize the research, principles, and approaches behind the Celebrating Families! curriculum and the Clergy Education Training Project.
  • Explain how the recovery-ready families model related to federal policies and prioririties.
  • Describe how family engagement affects recovery outcomes understand how this evidence can guide policies, funding priorities and service design at the local, state and national levels
Disclosure(s):
John F. Kelly, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose
Peter Gaumond: No financial relationships to disclose
Stacee Read, MSW, LSW: No financial relationships to disclose

    Breakout Presenter(s)

  • John F. Kelly, PhD

    Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine
    Harvard Medical School Center for Addiction Medicine
    Boston, Massachusetts

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • Peter Gaumond, AM

    Chief, Recovery Branch
    Office of National Drug Control Policy
    Gaithersburg, Maryland

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

    Slides

  • Stacee Read, MSW, LSW

    Director of Innovation
    National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA)
    CASTLE ROCK, Colorado

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

  • AP

    Alexandra Plante, MA

    Senior Advisor, Substance Use Continuum
    National Council for Mental Wellbeing
    Washington, District of Columbia

    Disclosure information not submitted.