Group Therapy for Recovering Alcohol and Other Drugs Clients

Population served:  The program is targeted to adults who are chemically dependent and have the desire to be in substance abuse treatment.  Sessions are held weekly for 1-½ hours each session.  Group members are seen individually as needed.

Admission criteria:

1. The client must meet current DSM manual (DSM IV) criteria for psychoactive substance use disorder.
2. The client must have a stable physical condition that does not distract them from addiction treatment and in addition have no biomedical conditions or complications present that require treatment beyond the capacity of an outpatient milieu.
3. Cognitive impairment must not interfere with treatment. 
4. The client may have some negative emotional, behavior, or cognitive conditions, but the conditions must not interfere with addiction treatment.
5. The client must have some awareness of abuse or addiction problem and must be willing to follow treatment activities. 
6. The client may be resistant, but can be motivated to go into treatment.

Treatment plan goals specific to group:

1. An evaluation of substance use (how much, how often, substances of choice, family history, patterns of use, prior treatment, level of impairment in major life areas, inability to control use) will be completed.
2. The client will abstain from using illicit drugs and/or alcohol.
3. The client will be able to confront denial with reality of use and be educated to correct any misconceptions.
4. The client will be educated regarding positive self-talk to challenge negative self-statements and negative self-fulfilling prophecies.
5. The client’s beliefs will be challenged with factual information.
6. The client will be educated about specific tasks to develop and strengthen refusal skills such as: asking for help, honestly expressing thoughts and feelings, confronting and dealing with fears, standing up for their rights, how to deal with being left out, and how to deal with group pressure and persuasion.
7. The client will be taught social skills through role modeling, rehearsal, and role-playing.
8. Effective non-verbal communication skills such as positioning, eye contact, and personal space will be taught. This will also include teaching verbal communication such as initiating conversation, reflection, giving and accepting compliments, using “I” statements, dealing with criticism or teasing, and assertive communication.
9. The client will learn how to develop and utilize social support system.
10. The client will be taught problem solving skills and will be able to identify secondary gains that inhibit their progress toward change.
11. The client will be able to identify their strengths and accomplishments.
12. Client will become aware of how their behavior has affected their family and/or any other significant person in their life (fear, isolation, shame, economic consequences, guilt, feeling responsible for the behavior of others).

Model of treatment:

The primary model of treatment is the Cognitive Behavioral/Addiction Model.  Addiction is a progressive disease and affects clients mentally by causing them to obsess about using illicit drugs and/or alcohol.   Physically, they develop a compulsion to continue using substances in spite of the consequences.  Spiritually they become totally self-centered.  The group ratio shall be no larger than 12:1.

Performance/Discharge Criteria:

1. The client has sustained full remission (12 months or longer).
2. The client completes all written assignments.
3. The client has utilized a regular program of recovery.

Must meet one of the conditions:

Payments accepted:  Acceptable payment includes Medicaid, self-payment at the time services are rendered, and non- restrictive insurance that is approved prior to initial session.

Last modified: February 09, 2010