The basic stage of therapy for addicts
Psychotherapy for addicts at the basic and intensive group stage
Psychotherapy in the foundation's centers takes place within therapeutic groups and through individual contact. Patients do not bear the costs of therapy (as it is financed by the National Health Fund).
Therapeutic work in both groups is based partly on structure (therapeutic program) and partly on process (discussing patients' personal problems and interpersonal relationships between patients). In addition to gaining knowledge about addiction, group participants have the opportunity to recognize destructive behavior patterns in their contacts with people and to introduce changes. During the group, patients learn constructive ways to deal with emotions. They learn to manage their free time and acquire skills related to assertive behavior (refusing to drink, informing others about their addiction). The main goal of therapy at the basic and intensive levels is to recognize the alcohol destruction caused by alchol and begin building a satisfying sober life.
Basic GROUP (formerly INTRODUCTORY I) is an outpatient, open group intended for people addicted to psychoactive substances (alcohol, drugs, medications and for people with behavioral addictions (gambling, computers, shopping, etc.).
The expected duration of the basic group is approximately 3 months. The patient's time in the group may be extended depending on the achievement of their goals. The group meets twice a week.
People who meet the following conditions are qualified for the basic group:
- are chemically (alcohol, drugs, medications and behaviorally (gambling, etc.) addicted,
- have initial motivation for treatment,
- maintain abstinence from psychoactive substances and gambling behavior.
In the basic group, a therapeutic program is implemented at the basic level.
The main goals of the basic group are:
- gaining knowledge about addiction,
- recognizing and understanding one's own addiction,
- recognizing the symptoms of alcohol/gambling cravings and how to deal with them,
- developing skills necessary to live in abstinence (training in assertive abstinence behaviors, training in coping with unpleasant feelings - stress, anger, creating a daily schedule),
- building the identity of an addicted individual,
- strengthening motivation to make changes,
- strengthening motivation to continue therapy.
Intensive GROUP (formerly introductory II) is an outpatient, semi-open group. The group lasts approximately 3 months and meets twice a week for 3 hours.
The Intensive Group is intended for people with chemical (alcohol, drugs, medications) and behavioral (gambling, etc.) addictions who have completed basic level therapy. The patient is qualified for initial group II by an individual therapist.
People who meet the following conditions are qualified for the Intensive group:
- have completed basic level therapy,
- know their disease and follow the recommendations for sobriety,
- are motivated to continue therapy,
- maintain abstinence from psychoactive substances and gambling behavior,
- have the identity of an addict,
- can recognize the symptoms of alcohol/gambling cravings and know (how to) deal with cravings.
In the Intensive group, a therapeutic program is implemented at an intensive level.
Main goals of the Intensive group:
- expanding knowledge about addiction,
- gaining knowledge about the mechanisms of addiction,
- acquiring knowledge about recognizing and experiencing feelings,
- working on the identity of an addicted person at an in-depth stage,
- working on recognizing powerlessness,
- deepening the skills necessary to live in abstinence.
Advanced stage of therapy for addicts
Group psychotherapy at the advanced stage takes place after approximately five to six months of therapy as part of the basic therapy (Day Addiction Ward or Introductory Group I, followed by Introductory Group II). At this stage the patients work plan is established through a dual track approach: individual psychotherapy session with the primary therapist, where the Personal Therapy Plan is implemented, and participation in a co-educational therapeutic group for individuals struggling with addiction. This is a closed group meaning no new members join at this stage. This structure allows for deeper work on the patient's personal challenges by enhancing group intimacy and a sense of connection.
Having completed the integration stage, the group consists of members who have built strong bonds allowing for meaningful and effective work on increasing life satisfaction. It is a misconception to assume that addiction psychotherapy is merely about "unlearning drinking". In reality, it focuses on transforming thought patterns, emotional responses and behaviors that have so far been conducive to drinking. By the end of the full therapeutic cycle, these changes should support a fulling, substance.
At the advanced stage, group psychotherapy is primarily focuses on dismantling the remaining mechanisms that hinder functioning in key areas of life. By eliminating these destructive patterns, the patient has the opportunity to improve their level of satisfaction with such areas of life as family, work and network of friends, as well as to work on the awareness of his (their) own expectations and needs, which will allow them to set short- and long-term goals for development. The basic stage of therapy focuses mainly on learning skills to get sober, while the advanced stage helps patients learn to live sober as wholesome person so that addiction does not make them feel different and inferior.
The topics covered at this stage mainly concern:
-awareness of one's own needs and constructive ways of satisfying them,
- awareness of one's own resources and deficits and how to use them for personal development
- eliminating compulsive forms of dealing with emotions in favor of constructive ways of dealing with them,
- reorganizing social roles and improving functioning within them,
- rebuilding identity and a positive self-image
- learning assertive attitudes and behaviors instead of submissive and aggressive behaviors
- developing interests and returning to constructive ways of managing free time,
- work on broadly understood spirituality
- constructive ways of dealing with everyday problems,
- working on establishing valuable relationships with other people and maintaining them
In addition to the above-mentioned topics, group classes use elements of process work and provide an opportunity to observe current difficulties that the patient manifests and notices in themselves during interactions with other group members. they have the opportunity to observe how they behave in difficult situations, what attitudes are typical for them in the group, how they feel about them and possibly what they would like to change. Feedback received from the therapist and other group members allows patients to expand their self-image and confront how they are seen by others.