Psycho-Education Group for Substance Abuse Treatment in the Initial Phase - Paper Example

Introduction

Psychotherapy is a substance abuse reduction or prevention group. Substance abuse treatment professionals use various group treatment styles to care for patients in the initial recovery phase (Corey, 2012). The reason for choosing a specific period is that substance abuse treatment in a group has to be specific. Patients in the initial stage of sobriety need to be treated differently from patients in sobriety treatment into their 1-2 years (Wheeler, 2014). This essay will discuss a psycho-education group for potential in the initial phase of substance abuse treatment.

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Type of Group

This group is an open group with homogeneous patients with a size of between eight to ten people, a small size that allows for intimacy and allows time for every group member to discuss their issue unhurried. The group will meet three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:30- 7:00 p.m. for nine months and not more than 24 sessions. The type of group shows the patients how the substance can and has caused deterioration in their health, facilitating change. The group is female-on, and it will be a support system for other women in substance use (Corey, 2012). The small group size also allows the group leader to interact with each group member adequately.

Topic/Theme

The group's theme is substance abuse and how to resist the urge and conquer the fear that comes with it. The focus will be to assist substance abuse clients to embrace learning to promote productive behaviors, positive thinking, and emotional change.

Target Population

The target population will comprise married females between the ages of thirty and forty-five years old. This selection is vital as the clients will be at the same level of motivation and treatment acceptance.

The Relevance of the Group

This group is essential as the target population, given that men and women with substance abuse issues react differently to treatment. In the initial stage of treatment, women will fear seeking help for substance abuse issues (Wampold, 2015). Most women with families take leadership roles and are engaged with their children; they are mostly afraid that their children or family will not be able to function if they are not sober or might lose custody of their children (Wampold, 2015). Women build a close support system and relationship, which proves to be meaningful in the group. It is particularly crucial for a close support system as relapse is highest within the first ninety days of recovery. Women are more likely to continue treatment as they participate actively in therapy (Corey, 2012).

Meeting Dates and Times

The group will meet for eight sessions initially; the first will be for the introduction. All members will sign consent and a contract of confidentiality at the initial session.

Qualifications of the Leader

The group leader is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and a certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She holds a Master's degree with over ten years of professional nursing experience. It is necessary that a leader be aware of the interpersonal relationship dynamics, be a teacher, and possess good organizational skills. The head must have a thorough knowledge of the information presented and create relevance and meaning to that information (Wheeler, 2014).

Publicity of the Group

The group publicity will be held at primary care providers' offices, recovery homes, addiction centers, and pain management clinics. There will be literature and video materials about the mission and vision of the group.

Selection and Screening

The selection and screening procedure will involve the motivational interviewing technique, using the trans-theoretical model as a template for the interview (Murdaugh & Pender, 2019). This interviewing technique is essential in identifying the patient's motivation and plans for change. The stages are pre-contemplation, whereby the client is not thinking about changing substance abuse behavior and does not believe their substance abuse is a problem. Such clients will not be accepted into the program. In Contemplation, clients in this stage are using substances but are thinking about cutting back or ceasing. Such clients will also not be considered in the program. Lastly is the preparation stage, whereby the client still uses substances, but has recognized the need for and is planning to change. These clients will be accepted into the program. Most clients will be accepted if they are in the action phase and have identified a strategy to stop using the substance (Murdaugh & Pender, 2019).

Informed Consent Procedure

This is a legal and ethical statement, which is the consent by which a client accepts a pending medical or psychotherapeutic treatment (Center for Ethical Practice, 2018).

Ground Rules

The rules that govern the group will include being timely focused, prepared, and honest (Wheeler, 2014). A successful and effective therapy session must see the stakeholders committed to presenting and participating. The use of disdainful language is prohibited. Confidentiality must be strictly maintained by all members of the group (Corey, 2012).

Initial Stage

Structure for the Sessions

Session One

The group leader will ensure that the structure is consistent with evidence-based treatment approaches for substance abuse. The leader must clearly define the type of group to the client. The goal of the group must also be established and must match the individual client's goal. The mission, vision statements, client folders, and packets will be given to each group member. At the initial stage, teaching clients effective and constructive ways to handle conflicts and express their feelings, thoughts, and reactions to issues that might arise in the group is vital. The group leader sets the rules against destructive confrontations, which may lead to mistrust and hostility.

Session Two

The second therapy session involves group members getting to know each other more. We will also review essential topics on the goals of the group. This session will even a lot of time for questions and answers about session one. Group members are asked to make some self-disclosure. The leader also emphasizes on non-negotiable ground rules like confidentiality, interactions in the group, and attendance. The group leader stresses the importance of participation and confidentiality.

Evaluation Tools

The evaluation tools employed here were in the form of questionnaires.

Transition Phase

Structure of the Sessions

According to Burlingame & Chongming (2018), here, clients become reluctant to share personal information as mistrust sets in. The group leader should, at this point, work to restore confidence and also solve any conflict. The group leader helps the client convert conflict and resistance to positive energy. According to the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (2019), a client in a substance abuse group responds to a warm, empathic, and life-affirming approach to conflict. The group leader must cultivate in the group setting, such virtues as active listening, confidence, being aware of the client's identity, consistency, integrity, spontaneity, empathy, and trust (Corey, 2012). The group should minimize changes as this could also cause emotional turbulence- clients' recovery from substance abuse or misuse needs consistency (California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions, 2019). The group must establish specific start and end times, speaking rules, and dress codes (Burlingame & Chongming, 2018).

Working Phase/Stage

The working stage is the driving force during a group formation process (Corey, 2012). It allows members to benefit from their existence and from being part of a group, making the phase more essential. Previous challenges were experienced to drive the group to be more solidified at this stage, with members ready to sacrifice to achieve maximum productivity. While group members may find it difficult to freely share their diverging and converging opinions, feelings, and ideas on the previous phases, they are often willing to communicate openly and let their feelings out during the working phase.

The group leader should effectively evaluate an individual member's commitment and desire to realize the group goals and identify and accomplish the working phase characteristics. According to Kumar (2014), members should adequately understand and embrace their groups' goals at the working phase. The second strategy is to identify and recognize working phase characteristics by measuring the group members' cohesion level. The extent of belonging and solidarity is a triggering force towards group cohesion (Alle-Corliss & Alle-Corliss, 2009). The last strategy is to develop universal themes to identify and recognize the characteristics of the working phase.

Final Stage

There will be a need to make the clients and the team aware of the impending termination. Members will also be informed that the group is currently in alignment with the pre-stated goals, and their achievement is either promising or completed (Corey, 2012). Thirdly, I will also offer assurances to the group members that they can consider reinitiating or communicating concerning the need to reopen the therapy (Corey, 2012). Finally, members and clients will be taken through a review of the therapy's success and achievement (Wheeler, 2014).

The leader will have to implement a set of competent mechanisms or interventions to curb group therapy termination drawbacks. Some group members may show signs of dissatisfaction even after making the follow-up or check-ins with the pre-stated objectives; the leader should look into and address such issues. There exist therapy sessions across the world that individuals have led and terminated successfully. These are counselor-initiated termination, client-initiated termination, and counselor-client-initiated termination. Corey (2012) postulated that termination procedures, which are either driven by individual counselors or clients, often result in severe mental health challenges for both parties, after the termination process. Both the counselor and client must reach a consensus of terminating the group. This balance can only be created when both are satisfied and are no longer being impacted by the pre-existing challenges that the therapy session aimed to address (Corey, 2012).

Evaluation

The use of pre/post-survey questions would be appropriate, with the questions directed to the group members being the main beneficiaries of the therapy initiative. It is majorly used to determine whether the members are satisfied with the achievements, what they feel was wrongly done, and their reformations for corrections (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2018). It is the best Matrix to use for making follow-ups using the group members as the principal targets or figures.

References

Alle-Corliss, L., & Alle-Corliss, R. (2009). Group work: A practical guide to developing groups in agency settings. John Wiley & Sons.

Burlingame, M., & Chongming. (2018). Findings Review Analysis. Retrieved from Findings Review Analysis: Cohesion in group therapy: a meta-analysis: http://www.findings.org.uk

California Institute For Behavioral Health Solutions. (2019). California Institute For Behavioral Health Solutions. Retrieved from California Institute For Behavioral Health Solution: Integrating SUD Treatment Skills into the Behavioral Health Curriculum: http://www.cibhs.org substance.