In Episode 42 of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, Chief Science Officer Dr. Nick Hayes is joined by Dr. Kristy Soloski, Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University. Together, they explore a critical but often overlooked component of the healing process: family systems in addiction recovery.

Addiction does not occur in a vacuum—it affects and is affected by the entire family unit. Dr. Soloski, a leading researcher in trauma, relational dynamics, and systemic therapy, shares her insights into how family structures, communication patterns, and unresolved trauma can either support or hinder long-term recovery. Drawing on both her clinical experience and academic research, she explains why understanding family systems in addiction recovery is essential for both clinicians and families.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how addiction and recovery ripple through relationships, why traditional individual-based treatment models may fall short, and how incorporating family therapy and trauma-informed care can lead to more sustainable outcomes. Dr. Soloski also discusses the importance of addressing intergenerational trauma, attachment styles, and conflict resolution strategies within the family context.

Whether you’re a clinician, family member, or someone in recovery, this episode offers powerful insights into how systemic healing can transform the recovery journey. By shifting the focus from the individual to the entire system, we can open new pathways to understanding, empathy, and true change.

Join us for a thoughtful and research-informed conversation that challenges the status quo and elevates the role of families in the process of healing from substance use disorders.

About our guest:

Kristy Soloski, PhD., LMFT-S, LCDC is an Associate Professor in the Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy Program at Texas Tech University. Her research and clinical work are focused on understanding systemic and contextual factors that impact substance use and substance use trajectories. She has authored articles in reputable journals in the field, has been invited to author book chapters for various texts within the field, and has disseminated her research at local, state, national, and international conferences.