Democracy 3 drug addiction how to#
Democracy 3 drug addiction full#
Democracy 3 drug addiction series#

Group work can be extremely intense emotionally. They might need to ask questions such as: “Am I cutting off discussions that could lead to verbal expression of anger because I am uncomfortable with anger? Have I blamed clients for the group's failure to make progress?” For example, therapists who are aware of their own capacities and tendencies can recognize their own defenses as they come into play in the group. It is essential for any group leader to be aware of the choices made and to remember that all choices concerning the group's structure and her leadership will have consequences ( Pollack and Slan 1995).Įxcellent listening skills are the keystone of any effective therapy.Ī firm sense of their own identities, together with clear reflection on experiences in group, enables leaders to understand and manage their own emotional lives.

Democracy 3 drug addiction how to#

The leader chooses how much leadership to exercise, how to structure the group, when to intervene, how to effect a successful intervention, how to manage the group's collective anxiety, and the means of resolving numerous other issues.

Democracy 3 drug addiction series#

Above all, it is important for the leader of any group to understand that he or she is responsible for making a series of choices as the group progresses. A discussion of other essential characteristics for a group leader follows. The leader should recognize that group members have a high level of vulnerability and are in need of support, particularly in the early stage of treatment. In addition, because many clients with substance abuse histories have grown up in homes that provided little protection, safety, and support, the leader should be responsive and affirming, rather than distant or judgmental.

Democracy 3 drug addiction full#

This life-affirming attitude carries the unspoken message that a full and vibrant life is possible without alcohol or drugs. For this reason, it is important for group leaders to communicate and share the joy of being alive. Flores (1997) states that “many therapists do not fully appreciate the impact of their personalities or values on addicts or alcoholics who are struggling to identify some viable alternative lifestyle that will allow them to fill up the emptiness or deadness within them” (p. Clients, for example, will respond to a warm, empathic, and life-affirming manner. The particular personal and cultural characteristics of the clients in group also will influence the therapist's tailoring of therapeutic strategies to fit the particular needs of the group.Īlthough the attributes of an effective interpersonal process group leader treating substance abuse are not strikingly different from traits needed to work successfully with other client populations, some of the variations in approach make a big difference. The adjustments needed to treat substance abuse are simply that-adjustments within the bounds of good practice. In working with people who have substance use disorders, an effective leader uses the same skills, qualities, styles, and approaches needed in any kind of therapeutic group. People who abuse substances are a broad and diverse population, one that spans all ages and ethnic groups and encompasses people with a wide variety of co-occurring conditions and personal histories. How to cool down runaway affect or turn a crisis into an opportunity How to deal with disruptive group members, such as clients who talk incessantly or bolt from a session How to convert conflict and resistance into positive energy that powers the group The pages that follow discuss issues such as When the upheaval in the lives of people recovering from addictions is considered, it becomes clear how important it is to keep as many factors as possible both constant and predictable. Most of the ideas seem perfectly logical, too, once they are brought to mind.įor instance, consistency in manner and procedure helps to provide a safe and stable environment for the newly recovering person with a substance use disorder. This chapter describes desirable leader traits and behaviors, along with the concepts and techniques vital to process groups-though many of the ideas can apply in other types of groups.