Group Therapy

Introduction

Group therapies for drug and alcohol abusers use affiliation, support, and peer confrontation to help patients struggling to move from addiction to recovery. The practicum site chosen was Challenges, which is a state licensed and JCAHO accredited private addictions and mental health treatment center located in the greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. At Challenges the model of relapse prevention treatment represents a new and unique direction in relapse care. They incorporate the latest, cutting edge technology together with traditional treatment, twelve-step oriented treatment, and alternative treatment therapies for those challenged by alcoholism and drug abuse, chemical dependency, as well as co-existing, co-occurring and dual diagnosed disorders. The exceptional treatment at Challenges is highly individualized and holistic in nature, offering the individual a significant chance of success.

At Challenges the main form of treatment is group therapy, which is conducted in the hands of a skilled, well-trained group leader, the potential healing powers inherent in a group can be harnessed and directed to foster healthy attachments, provide positive peer reinforcement, act as a forum for self-expression, and teach new social skills. There are several advantages for therapy groups. Groups allow members to see how others deal with similar problems; to witness their recovery; and to learn how to cope with problems, relate to other people, and gain new insight and information. They can reduce the sense of isolation that substance abusers feel by providing peer support and pressure to abstain.

Practicum Site

At the Challenges Rehabilitation Center, their philosophy is to provide exceptional care with a holistic approach, combining mental health and substance abuse treatment in a coordinated, highly individualized and flexible treatment plan. Their model of treatment is believed to be in the best interest of the client, who is served when a high degree of individual attention is provided within the framework of group process and education. In order to accomplish this goal, Challenges offers a very high staff to patient ratio and a clinical team which is composed of a wide variety of highly credentialed professionals all of whom having substantial experience in the treatment of dual diagnosed, co-occurring and multi-occurring disorders.

Challenges offers services in relapse prevention, dual diagnosis, residency, extended care, family program, intervention, evening outpatients, specialized programs, detox, legal issues, and after care. They are a privately owned clinic, and have a total of eleven on site therapist everyday. In total there are 28 staff members working between the clinical site and the structured living area where the clients reside. Included in the list of staff there are 2 nurses and a Neuropsychiatrist/ Addictionologist/