The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s annual National Survey on drug use has shown an increased substance abuse from previous years. Approximately 24.6 million people in America were using drugs in 2013. To examine the guidelines for group treatment goals, I have interviewed with a substance use disorder professional and asked him about the group treatment goals and how to prepare for group treatments as a mental health professional. While responding to these queries he said, the first and vital thing to consider is pre-group planning. It consists of reviewing assessment information of all members, having some prior knowledge about each group member before the meeting starts, arranging seats in the circle for better communication, having handouts available for participants. After doing the initial preparation the second step is to begin the discussion. Introduce group leader and welcome the members of the group. Ask members to introduce themselves; group leader should explain the benefits of group therapy and ask general questions to make members comfortable in the group, define proper group rules to promote positive group norms, shape appropriate group behavior, and reduce participant’s anxieties. Throughout the sessions, focus on the importance of the goal, members want to achieve at the end of the treatment by discussing the why it is essential to break free from substance abuse.
There are two types of groups; fixed and revolved. Fixed groups stay together for a long time, while in revolving groups, member-only remain together until they accomplish their goals. In fixed members or time-limited groups, learning build on the prior meeting material. So, participants need to be in the group from the beginning. In revolving groups, client are admitted and discharged regularly. They stay until they finished the goal and the group has no absolute number of participant. In substance abuse case, the revolving groups are considered more useful as they are long-term and the user can leave after accomplishing the goals. There are many factors considered before forming a therapeutic group for substance abusers. Some of the elements are; confidentiality, contact among members, coordination of therapy, medication issues, and family involvement.
Persons who misuse substances are an extensive and variety of population, one that ranges in all ethnic groups and ages and includes individuals with a wide diversity of co‐occurring circumstances and own pasts. In functioning with individuals who have drugs misuse disorders, an active leader should have personal qualities such as constancy, active listening skill, firm identity, empathy, humor, trust, integrity, spontaneity, and responsible for ensuring that members are engaged meaningfully and continuously. The therapeutic styles of leader changes with the needs of patients.
In the first and second stage of the treatment the leaders are more active and helpful, but in the last stage, they offer less gratification and support. To regulate the kind of guidance necessary to provide a person in the cure, the clinician should think through the client’s ability to copestability, social support, level of functioning, and effect, as these influences have more or less bearing upon illicit drug use or alcohol. These concerns are crucial to conclude the nature of groupsuitable to encounter the participant’srequirements.
