open dialogue; substance use; addiction; harm reduction; interactional patterns

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce an open dialogue (OD) approach as a postmodern practice in the field of substance use and addiction. First, OD's origins and development in the area of first-episode psychosis are outlined. Second, family intervention programs, harm reduction psychotherapy, and motivational interviewing are described as existing approaches in the field of substance use and addiction that share some similarities with OD. Third, a socio-material network perspective for working creatively with clients is offered to enrich OD practice. Tangible examples are provided on how an OD approach can be used to work with clients and their network to invite the voices of every member in the network, move beyond the individual to consider the material aspects of the substance/behavior, entire network, everyday practices, and interactional patterns. Finally, a real case vignette from an innovative counseling program is utilized to illustrate how an OD approach has been used in practice to help couples and families manage substance use and addiction struggles.

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce an open dialogue (OD) approach as a postmodern practice in the field of substance use and addiction. First, OD's origins and development in the area of first-episode psychosis are outlined. Second, family intervention programs, harm reduction psychotherapy, and motivational interviewing are described as existing approaches in the field of substance use and addiction that share some similarities with OD. Third, a socio-material network perspective for working creatively with clients is offered to enrich OD practice. Tangible examples are provided on how an OD approach can be used to work with clients and their network to invite the voices of every member in the network, move beyond the individual to consider the material aspects of the substance/behavior, entire network, everyday practices, and interactional patterns. Finally, a real case vignette from an innovative counseling program is utilized to illustrate how an OD approach has been used in practice to help couples and families manage substance use and addiction struggles.