This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) addresses substance abuse treatment in the context of family therapy. TIPs are best-practice guidelines for the treatment of substance use disorders that make the latest research in substance abuse treatment available to counselors and educators. The content was generated by a panel of experts in the fields of family therapy and substance abuse treatment, and reviewed by independent experts. The first two chapters provide an introduction to substance abuse treatment and family therapy and explore the impact of substance abuse on families. Chapter three discusses various approaches to family therapy, including the current models, approaches and concepts that have shown effectiveness in family therapy, as well as basic information about theory, treatment modalities, and the role of 12-Step programs in substance abuse treatment. Chapter four contains a discussion on integrating the different models for substance abuse treatment with those of family therapy. The fifth chapter provides background information about substance abuse treatment in various racial and ethnic groups and the applications of family therapy to each population. Administrators and trainers will find guidance on effectively combining family therapy and substance abuse treatment in chapter six, as well as a discussion on the importance of improving services to families. The following are appended: (1) Bibliography; (2) Glossary; (3) Guidelines for Assessing Violence; (4) Resources; (5) Resource Panel; (6) Cultural Competency and Diversity Network Participants; and (7) Field Reviewers. (Contains 4 figures.)