“When The Solution Becomes the Problem” takes a unique approach to families and addiction. Rather than offering prescriptive advice, it partners with families to understand why implementing expert recommendations can be challenging. Through relatable stories and clinical descriptions, the book explores addiction, trauma, and resilience. It guides families toward healing and a renewed sense of togetherness, emphasizing recovery from addiction and trauma as a collective journey
My 41 years as a counselor, clinical supervisor, counselor educator, and program administrator have informed my specialty in treating the impact of trauma, addiction, and life-threatening illness on individuals, couples, and families.
Despite our best efforts, these life-changing issues are difficult to solve. The longer people live with the problem, the more normal the anxiety, pain, and fear become, and the harder it is to gather the energy and insight needed to make the changes required to restore overall health. over time, lives and relationships that were once satisfying and joyful become painful and conflicted.
I often hear families say that they wish their loved one would get sober so the family can return to normal. The longer an individual and their family live with active addiction and trauma, a new normal has already formed. There is no going back to normal. There is only going forward to creating a "newer," healthier normal. Therefore, successful therapy is built on a foundation of client and family acceptance. Hope, honesty, and the willingness to engage in difficult conversations. Healing occurs when individuals and their family members can move beyond the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors that maintain their problems and begin to engage in new thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors that promote healing.
Dr. Mike Barnes is a renowned licensed addiction counselor and professional counselor with a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy. Specializing in traumatic stress and addiction. With extensive experience in clinical and academic settings, he currently serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at Foundry Treatment Center and directs the Michael Barnes Family Institute. Dr. Barnes has developed innovative, family-centered addiction treatment processes and continues to contribute to the field through national presentations and scholarly publications. His latest book, "When the Solution Becomes the Problem" addresses the challenges families face with addiction and trauma.
I learned so much from reading this book. I highly recommend it for any family going through the daily trials of living with a loved one struggling with addiction. From explaining addiction as a disease to explaining how past family history and trauma plays a role in the present. Dr. Barnes does an excellent job of educating the reader and teaching families how to begin the healing process.
Dr. Barnes covers all the essential elements of knowledge for anyone looking to understand the impact of addiction on family systems. He introduces concepts and topics that are often overlooked. In particular the impact that families experience with traumatic stress related to their loved ones' addiction. he does this in a way of breaking it down to make it understandable for anyone. Not just those with a clinical background.
This book is invaluable in understanding post-traumatic stress disorder. Inter-generational trauma, secondary trauma, addiction, and how they affect the human condition. Dr. Barnes writes in a way that is easy to understand and relate to as he weaves his own personal story throughout. There are many takeaways that once can use for personal growth!
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