Types of Conflict anticipated and their Resolution

Types of Conflict anticipated and their Resolution

Conflict is an integral part of human interaction. Conflict refers to any situation characterized by opposing beliefs, views, opinions, or perspectives between different opposing parties that facilitates the development of an antagonistic relationship between the rival parties involved (Evans, 2013). Conflict is anticipated in transition stage groups composed of recovering addicts from various substance use and alcohol abuse disorders. There are three types of disputes that have a high likelihood of manifesting in transition stage groups, namely, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intragroup conflicts.

Intrapersonal conflicts are those limited within the confines of an individual’s mind due to opposing or contradictory views and beliefs held by the individual that challenge or question the individual’s perception of reality (Evans, 2013). Moreover, interpersonal conflict scenarios involve disagreements between two individuals within the group, while intragroup conflict is a situation where more than two parties within the group differ with each other regarding specific or multiple subjects associated with the group’s purpose and processes (Evans, 2013). Due to the dangers related to conflict-avoidance in a group such as hostility among members, destroyed relationships, and subdivision within the group, my approach towards conflict involves addressing the underlying issues that facilitate them promptly.

For an intrapersonal conflict, the preferred solution would be helping the conflicted individual to explore the opposing perspectives to achieve clarity about the issue or situation (Alcohol Rehab, 2019). Where a conflict is interpersonal, the rival parties may be urged to address the problem by letting each opposing side understand which part the opposition’s view or belief offends them. However, where the emotions between the conflicting individuals are escalated to a level where organic reconciliation is difficult, mediation may be necessary. Finally, for intragroup conflicts, mediating negotiations to facilitate an acceptable compromise among the different parties would be critical. For the three different conflicts discussed, a quick resolution of various conflict scenarios is essential in the practical function and achievement of success in the group’s core purpose.

Question 2: Use of Role-Plays in Transition Stage Groups

Role-play, in its simplest form, involves a situation where an individual or a group acts out a conceived case that is used to depict various aspects of the formulated context or persona as seen in plays, movies, or TV programs. The use of role-playing in psychological interventions is developed based on the premise that recreating critical situations that are subjects of psychological circumstances enhances the understanding of their different attributes by the various parties involved in the situation.

Role-play may be employed for the achievement of various outcomes in transition stage groups composed of recovering addicts. The first one is the objectification of imaginary realities designed to expose group members to particular experiences considered to be critical to their recovery (Matthews. et al., 2014). Another vital use of role-playing is helping the group members achieve insight about each person’s behavior, thus, understanding one’s behavioral patterns that facilitate their addiction (Matthews. et al., 2014). Moreover, role-play can be used by recovering addicts in modeling behavioral aspects taught to them to foster their recovery process in a safe environment before, consequently, employing them in real-life contexts. Besides, by reenacting painful experiences encountered by various group members, role-play facilitates the attainment of catharsis (Matthews. et al., 2014). Finally, role-play can be an instrumental therapy channel in encouraging group members that have painful past experiences to talk about them, which ushers in the recovery process.

Question 3: Indicators of Success in Transition Stage Groups

The core purpose of transition stage groups composed of recovering addicts is to facilitate their successful recovery from their respective additions. However, for such groups to be successful, the goals and objectives formulated by the therapist that creates the groups should be specific and practical to facilitate efficient implementation and performance evaluation. There are several indicators that can be used in the performance assessment of a transition stage group.

The first indicator of the success in a transition stage group is a good relationship between the therapist and the group members and also intragroup relationships among all the group members. An excellent intragroup relationship within a transition stage group is indicated by comfort and honesty in the members’ interactions among themselves and also in the individual’s willingness to share past personal experiences during group sessions (Ponton, 2018). The relationship dynamic within a transition stage group is a critical indicator of the functionality of the group.

Another essential indicator of the success of a transition stage group is the members’ success in overcoming the different obstacles, issues, and intrapersonal conflicts that they were facing during the initial periods when they joined the group (Ponton, 2018). The success of group members in overcoming various issues that challenged them during prior periods depends on the efficiency of the coping mechanisms taught to them by their therapist.

Moreover, the group’s counselor’s ability to identify the individual members’ negative patterns that lead to the development of anxiety, depression, and sadness (Ponton, 2018). Consequently, the therapist should have been able to guide the members to master various skills that nurture their strength and confidence to mitigate their negative feeling and emotional patterns.

Question 4: Factors for the Initiation of Follow-Ups after the Termination of a Transition Stage Group

After a transition stage group for recovering addicts has run its course, the therapist in charge of the group may decide to follow-up on the members of the group at an individual capacity based on the observations that the therapist made during the group intervention period. There are various factors that may prompt a counselor to follow-up on the former members of a terminated transition stage group.

The first factor that would warrant initiating follow-ups among former group members is to assess whether the members managed to adhere to the principles taught during the group’s intervention program after completing it (The Urban Institute, 2003). Moreover, a therapist may initiate follow-up with former group members to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention methodologies employed during the intervention period. Also, a counselor may follow-up on former recovery program members to motivate them in pursuing the positive outcomes that they envisioned during the program (The Urban Institute, 2003). Besides, a counselor may follow-up on former clients to inquire about the different problems that they force post-completion of the group intervention program. The feedback provided by the previous group members about the challenges faced after the application informs the necessary adjustment that can foster the programs used during current and future group interventions to enhance the program’s efficiency to achieve the desired outcomes.