In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal welcome Dr. Michael F. Barnes, Ph.D., LAC, LPC, a nationally recognized expert in addiction, trauma, and family systems.
Dr. Barnes is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and consultant, and the founder of the Michael Barnes Family Institute. With more than 40 years of experience in addiction treatment and family therapy, he brings deep insight into how substance use disorder affects not only the individual but the entire family system.
This conversation explores why family recovery is essential in addiction treatment, how trauma shapes family dynamics, and why loved ones often need healing alongside the person receiving care. Dr. Barnes also discusses secondary trauma, chronic disease management, enabling as a trauma response, and the importance of trauma-integrated addiction treatment.
About This Episode
Addiction is often described as a family disease, but what does that really mean in treatment and recovery? Dr. Barnes explains how families can become deeply impacted by a loved one’s addiction, especially when trauma, fear, and survival patterns influence how they respond. Rather than viewing families only as support systems, this episode reframes recovery as something the entire family may need to participate in. Listeners will gain a better understanding of how family members can move from crisis management into healing, why old patterns can continue after treatment, and how trauma-informed support can improve long-term recovery outcomes.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- How addiction impacts the entire family system
- What secondary trauma means for loved ones
- Why family involvement matters in addiction treatment
- How trauma can influence enabling behaviors
- Why recovery is more than abstinence from substances
- How chronic illness models can help families understand addiction
- The difference between rehabilitation and habilitation
- Why family members also deserve support, education, and healing
- What families can ask treatment providers when seeking care
Resources Mentioned
- When the Solution Becomes the Problem: Helping Families Who Struggle with Addiction and Trauma by Dr. Michael Barnes – https://www.drmikebarnes.com/book
- Michael Barnes Family Institute – https://www.drmikebarnes.com/
Learn more about Hanley Foundation at hanleyfoundation.org or call 844-502-4673.
