1. Substance Abuse Tara, Crane, Dalton, Jessica, Elizabeth
Today we are going to talk to you about your substance use and how group therapy can help!

2. Assessments Drinking Problem Index Addiction Severity
Assess drinking severity
Addiction Severity
Bigger picture
Alcohol Use Disorder ID Test
Assumptions, behaviors, and problems
To start off with patients, we usually give you one or more questionnaire to determine the extent of your alcohol or substance use. The Drinking problem index is one of those assessments to provide an understanding of your use; focusing on the adverse consequences and risks of your drinking. The addiction severity gathers the bigger picture of substance use and can be done in self-report or interview. The alcohol use disorder ID test assess alcohol assumption, drinking behaviors and alcohol related problems. 2

3. Treatment Overview Levels of Treatment: Early intervention
Outpatient treatment
Intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization
Residential/Inpatient
Medically managed intensive inpatient
There are many levels of treatment ranging from prevention to intensive inpatient care. We will use your self-reports along with our interviews to determine which level or stage of treatment is most appropriate for you. 3

4. Treatment Overview Models of group treatment Psychoeducational
Skills development
Cognitive-Behavioral
Support
Process
How do you know which group is right for your patient?
There are different types of groups that have proven effective to those who have substance related problems. You and your therapist will talk through which one is most appropriate for you. The best group for you depends on your individual needs, personal circumstances, and support system. 4

5. Treatment Overview Typical Group 8-15 members
Meeting once or twice weekly
Led by 1 or 2 trained professionals
Participants ALWAYS screened
Participants may be voluntary or involuntary
A typical group session will consists of 8 to 15 members, some of whom are required to attend. Meetings are usually once or twice a week for at least 90 minutes. Participants in the group will have taken the same preliminary tests to establish what level of treatment they need. Though you may have a variety of patients in your group we will have done interviews prior to the groups beginning to help ensure it will be a productive and functioning environment. 5

6. Early Stage of Treatment
Treatment will focus on
Willingness to change
Identifying Triggers
Cost/benefits of using
Relapse prevention
In the early stages of treatment, we will focus on each persons desire to change, why some are ready to change and other’s are not? The group may discover how those who are ready to change, got there? The members of the group can begin to identify stressors in their life that may contribute to use. Members will also begin to identify and list the pros and cons of using. And learn ways in which to avoid relapse but also learning that relapse is common and does not equal failure. 6

7. Middle Stage of Treatment
Coping
Problem Solving
In the middle stages of treatment the group will learn to acquire skills such as learning to identify stressors, learning to cope with urges, and how to utilize any assets they have in order to maintain sobriety. 7

8. Unique Characteristics
Do not want active users in the group
Every Substance effects people differently
Not age specific
May be necessary to provide family members of addict with treatment or extra support
In group it is important to account for individual characteristics. We want to refrain from having active users in the group as it can be potentially harmful to the overall progress. Every substance can effect people differently and no two members of your group may use the same substance and can have very different issues. Substance use is not specific to an individuals age. Members of all ages may be a part of the group and may have experienced substance abuse for short or long lasting terms. During treatment it may be helpful or necessary to involve your family and friends in order to better maintain sobriety. 8

9. What next? First group meeting will be in room 103 next Wednesday at 5
Remember:
Be on time
No active using
We will discuss more on group rules and expectations 9