Addiction Studies
A brain disorder categorized by incontrollable engagement in satisfying stimuli despite having hostile consequences. Addiction disorder affects the reward structure of the brain, arising through epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms, chronically evolving from high-level exposure to an addictive stimulus (Whittaker 113). The associated compulsive behavior attenuates, thereby decreasing the aversion sensitivity. Hallmarks of addiction include habitual patterns, impaired controls, coupled with delayed deleterious effects.
Overview of the make-up of the group
The summary of the group included adolescence individuals, families, and couples who were suffering from drugs and alcohol addiction problems. The group was heterogeneous, where it comprises fourteen individuals with different interests, socioeconomic status, sex, background, and various drug addiction problems. The group helps its participants to explore and discover their social skills by encouraging experimentation and support for new behaviors. The vast diversity in membership creates a recreation for everyday life by being in interaction with a range of personalities. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
The group gives its members a place to belong, offers affection, and provide love. The group also allows having a therapeutic effect on others, thus maturing their altruistic feelings and social interests. The group cultivates the use of a behavioral approach to drive effectiveness in contrast to the individual therapy approach. Moreover, the behavioral approach suggests that the individuals in a group should perform specific behavior such as giving feedback, sharing their feelings, and making commitments to the purpose of the group.
Nevertheless, the therapeutic group has experienced innumerable limitations, thereby ignoring some other effective counseling methods (Schiffer 388). The frequent elusive pressure to adapt to the group expectations, values, and norms, lead to some members rigidly adhering to the set standards without thorough consideration. Some individuals make the therapeutic group experience as an end, on the contrary of using the group as a laboratory for human learning. Some individuals are too fragile or hostile to merge with the group experience.
The process used by the counselor to begin the discussion
The counselor presumes a reciprocated understanding among the group members, leaders, and underlying issues. The counselor, together with the group members, agreed a time format for the session to be one hundred- and twenty-minutes regular session. Members agreed to break down the session into three parts of forty minutes each. The counselor allowed the members to appoint a timekeeper among their team. The session began at 9:20 am to 12:00 noon, with two short breaks of twenty minutes each. The counselor expounded on the group and individual on the rules concerning confidentiality. The aim here was to protect the identity of the clients, the content of the session,
Topics considered
The counselor categorically discussed various role limits ranging from anxieties, fears, and expectations. He was able to dispell views from the members through an honest and open discussion through the use of helpful statements. For example, “I will make suggestions, give you feedback, and support you, but I will not tell you what to do.” Such statements amplified expectations and determination to the group members.
The counselor debated the possible interference with drugs and alcohol use. In the same way, he enlightened the group members on the dangers associated with alcohol and drug abuse. Further, the therapist deliberated on his personal experience and background, resulting in his skills as well as referring to other referral resources.
How the counselor dealt with the cross-talk and other disruptions
Some distraught members of the group frequently tried to take control of the group. The group sometimes nearly lost interest along the process due to disruption, which almost caused the taking over. Nonetheless, the counselor used a myriad of techniques to regain control. For instance, the counselor constantly kept asking different strong members of the group to air their opinions concerning the disruption caused.
As far as the discipline is concerned, the counselor did whatever it took to ensure that all group members were respected. To illustrate, some instances of manipulations of cross-talk is where some group members asked specific questions, and a member minimized or magnified the issue or cracked jokes. The cross-talk demonstrated the aspect of avoidance and negligence. Concerning such circumstances, the counselor used the group leader to comment on the observed disruption.
The counselor interchangeably applied the personal touch approach to some cases. Some individuals seemed to be more comfortable in one-on-one sessions instead of the group setting.
Overall sense on how the discussion went
Despite facing an overblown ego as a behavioral symptom of chemical dependency among the group, the counselor had a commendable session with the group members. The therapist was careful enough to break the aspect of self-centeredness among the affected individuals. The counselor ended the session by summarizing the discussed topics keeping in line with the agreed time scope without losing the group control. The counselor maintained a positive control over some manipulative members who ought to develop dramatic issues within the session.
How I might have done things differently
The counselor imposed a too rigid agenda resulting in little progress. Alternatively, I would have worked on each goal at a time. If the initial goal works, then I would proceed forth and introduce another goal. I would have been more patient with the group members as well as assist them in comprehending realistic goals in a practical time scope. Indeed, I would start by building a relationship with group members by asking the group to express their expectations, anxieties, and fears honestly and openly.
The time frame set for the session, in my opinion, was too long for the group members to concentrate continuously. I prefer a ninety-minute session as opposed to one-hundred and twenty minutes. The shorter session would have more effective by eradicating boredom and disruptions. Correspondingly, to reduce the incidences of manipulations like cross-talks, I would have opted to address a homogenous group as opposed to a heterogeneous group of people. A homogeneous group of individuals tends to have similar or related issues, therefore making the session to be more interactive and effective. To be more precise, a homogenous group is more likely to have few or no cross-talks and disruptions.
Works cited
Whittaker, James K. “Program activities: Their selection and use in a therapeutic milieu.” The Other 23 Hours. Routledge, 2017. 100-119.
Schiffer, Mortimer. The therapeutic play group. Routledge, 2017.