Clearfork Academy logo
(888) 594-8699open 24/7

Brown and Lewis Developmental Stages of Recovery

Plus signs

The Brown & Lewis Developmental Stages of Recovery is the work of Stephanie Brown, PhD, and Virginia Lewis, PhD, co-director of the Family Recovery Project. To outline the Brown & Lewis developmental stages of recovery, these two clinicians apply their knowledge and describe in detail how an alcoholic family member affects the family as a whole.

What are the Brown and Lewis Developmental Stages of Recovery?

The Brown and Lewis developmental stages of recovery are outlined in The Alcoholic Family in Recovery: A Developmental Model (2002). Hence, the Brown and Lewis developmental stages of recovery provide one of the first models of addiction recovery for a family. Specifically, the Brown and Lewis developmental stages of recovery demonstrates how to help an alcoholic family member in denial and then repair the family during the recovery process.

In examining the family problems caused by an alcoholic family member, the Brown & Lewis developmental stages of recovery acknowledge that the first years of sobriety do not immediately erase marital stress or difficult parent-child relationships. However, the Brown & Lewis Developmental Model is a methodology for understanding and treating families navigating this challenge. Therefore, this analysis of addiction recovery stages uncovers the impact on the family environment, the parental couple, and individual family members.

As a result, the Brown & Lewis Developmental Model demonstrates how families can be helped during the ongoing recovery process. Ultimately, the goal is to weather periods of emotional upheaval in order to establish a stable yet flexible family system that incorporates the family member in recovery.

Sources: Guilford Press, US National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health), Oxford Academic

It's Time to Make a Change

We Can Help You on Your Path to Mental Wellness

Call Today (888) 594-8699

Blog

Read More
A group of teenagers discussing during a therapy session as part of a PHP program

PHP for Teens in Fort Worth, TX: Best Treatment Centers & Pricing

May 28, 2026

Key Takeaways Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) for teens in Fort Worth offer intensive, structured treatment for mental health and substance use without requiring an overnight stay. The three best PHPs for teens in Fort Worth are Clearfork Academy, Cook Children’s

Parent and teen arriving at a Texas drug rehab center to begin treatment

Teen Drug Rehab in Texas: Best Treatment Centers & Cost

May 27, 2026

Key Takeaways Teen addiction treatment is fundamentally different from adult programs, and Texas has a wide range of evaluated teen rehab centers, offering options ranging from detox and residential care to outpatient programs.  The three best teen drug rehabs in

A parent walking with their child into a residential treatment center

How to Get Your Child into Residential Treatment: Step-by-Step Guide

May 26, 2026

Key Takeaways  The path to residential treatment follows a clear sequence of steps. Start with a formal clinical assessment from a qualified mental health professional, get a referral to an appropriate residential program, and verify your insurance coverage and out-of-pocket