Exploring Health Care Provider Knowledge and Perceptions of Family Support for Patients With Substance Use Disorders

Objective: To assess health care providers' attitudes toward integrating family support into substance use disorder (SUD) treatment plans.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to evaluate perceptions, use, and challenges of family support in SUD treatment among psychiatry and internal medicine providers. A total of 104 provider participants were involved in the study.

Results: While most providers recognized the benefits of family support in enhancing SUD outcomes and decreasing relapse rates, referrals to these services were limited. Younger practitioners had lower confidence in integrating family support. Psychiatrists were found to have more favorable views relative to internal medicine providers on the efficacy of family support interventions within SUD treatment plans.

Conclusion: Perspectives on family support in SUD treatment varied across age groups and specialties, highlighting gaps in training and practice. The underutilization of family involvement underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance provider knowledge, confidence, and integration of family-based approaches that may improve patient outcomes.

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2026;28(1):25m04030.

Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.