Discuss other methods of treating substance abuse/dependence

Required text:  Stevens, P. & Smith, R.L. (2013). Substance abuse

counseling: Theory and Practice (5th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.

Lesson 6

Print

Please make sure that you read the following instructions and complete all assignments to receive full credit for this lesson.

1. Read Chapters Seven and Eight
2. Read the Lesson Notes below
3. Complete the Lesson 6 Discussion Question (choose 1)
4. Provide feedback for two classmates
5. In preparation for Paper Outline with References: See Syllabus, and also Writing Resources – APA under Lessons tab for more information.

Individual and Group Treatment

Chapters 7 and 8

Chapters 7 and 8 focus upon the different options utilized in treating substance abuse/dependence. At this stage, the individual substance abuse counselor will utilize several techniques to treat the individual suffering from substance abuse problems.

Two different methods will be examined in depth in these chapters. The first method is individualized therapy, which involves various treatment approaches where the individual receives one on one attention from a therapist and/or counselor. The benefits to this form of therapy include an in-depth examination of the client’s issues. This further benefits the client by allowing the therapist/counselor to address behaviors or issues that might otherwise be overlooked during the course of a group therapy session.

Group therapy, which is the second method you will examine in the textbook, it is also the most popular form of treatment for drug issues. The main justification for its popularity rests in its cost effectiveness. Group therapy provides treatment for multiple clients, thereby reducing the necessary time to be spent with a client in multiple individual sessions every week. Typically, group therapy is combined with individualized treatment therapy. This often occurs through combining an individualized session once a week (or two weeks) and adding several group sessions within the clients treatment week.

Learning Objectives

• Define individualized therapy
• Define group therapy
• Discuss other methods of treating substance abuse/dependence

Lesson 6 Discussion Question

Be sure to cover all of the sections in this question.

Select 1 of the 2 options for your posting for the Lesson 6 Discussion Question.

Type either ” Individual vs. Group Therapy” or “Setting Ground Rules” in the subject line.

1. Chapters 7 and 8 discuss two popular forms of therapy (individual or group). Discuss which form of therapy you think best addresses a client substance abuse/dependence issues. Be sure to cover why you feel this form of therapy is more advantageous (remember you are not saying that you dislike one therapy over another, you are just stating which one you think is more effective).

OR,

2. Discuss the importance of setting ground rules for group and individual sessions.

Be sure to discuss the appropriateness of confrontation within the group; when should it be used?

Please list and discuss several examples of ground rules that would be set for a group session or an individual session.

Post your response to the above in the Discussion Board (250 words minimum)