Family First: Testing an adapted family-based intervention for parents in methadone treatment

Authors

  • Khary K. Rigg University of South Florida
  • Steven L. Proctor Thriving Mind South Florida; Florida International University
  • Kayleigh B. Faber University of South Florida
  • Lindi K. Rigg University of South Florida

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5038.usfdj/1.5

Keywords:

Addiction, Family-Based Interventions, Methadone Treatment, Opioid Treatment Programs, Prevention

Abstract

Families Facing the Future (FFF) is an intervention designed for families with a parent in methadone treatment. FFF aims to prevent relapse and strengthen parenting skills to lower the risk of future substance use in children. Although implemented in several Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), broader adoption has been limited by implementation barriers. To address these, FFF was recently adapted into a streamlined version called Family First, but its effectiveness and implementation have not been evaluated. This article provides an overview of FFF, describes the Family First adaptation, and presents preliminary findings from a pretest–posttest evaluation with 32 parents in methadone treatment at five OTPs across Florida. Survey results indicated that completion of Family First was associated with improvements in family functioning, parenting, quality of life, and mental health. Post-program assessments also indicated strong implementation outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness). Findings highlight the potential for wider implementation of Family First nationwide.

Accessibility Summary:

In accordance with Title II regulations this content meets all points of exemption as Archived web content and/or Preexisting conventional electronic documents.

Author Biographies

Khary K. Rigg, University of South Florida

Khary Rigg, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Behavioral Health Science & Practice at the University of South Florida. He earned his Ph.D. in medical sociology from University of Miami and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in health services research at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Rigg is an addiction researcher dedicated to improving health outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders.  He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, and his work has been covered in numerous media outlets, as well as cited in court cases and congressional hearings. 

Steven L. Proctor, Thriving Mind South Florida; Florida International University

Steven Proctor, PhD, is Senior Program Director for Health Outcomes at Thriving Mind South Florida. He holds a community-based faculty appointment at the rank of Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. He is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery and has published extensively in this area. 

Kayleigh B. Faber, University of South Florida

Kayleigh Faber is a Ph.D. student in the Behavioral & Community Science program at University of South Florida. She earned her MPH from Oklahoma State University and has research interests in substance use  disorders and harm reduction. 

Lindi K. Rigg, University of South Florida

Lindi Rigg is a Ph.D. student in the Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. program at Regent University. She is a licensed mental health counselor and has research interests in intervention adaptation and testing. 

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Published

2025-12-19

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): The Impact of Substance Misuse and Addiction on Families and Community Health

Section

Articles

License

Authors retain copyright to all published work in the Duvall Journal of Family and Community Health. Articles are published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows others to share, copy, distribute, adapt, and build upon the work—even for commercial purposes—provided that appropriate credit is given to the original authors and source.