Groups and Therapy Strategies at Alcohol Rehab Clinics
Most alcohol rehab clinics attempt to inspire the alcoholic to take action in turning their life around. They might have a series of groups and therapy planned that might look something like this:
1) Group meeting to organize and start the day.
2) Lecture about something addiction related.
3) Group therapy, led by a therapist, group discussion.
4) More groups, both informative and discussion based. Video presentations.
5) More group interaction and group therapy activities.
6) Recreation or gym.
7) A 12 step meeting, either AA or NA.
8) One on one counseling with a therapist.
9) Setting up aftercare with a therapist or counselor.
Really that about sums up the typical activities that you might expect at an alcohol rehab clinic. There is not much else that occurs that does not fit in loosely with one of these ideas or concepts.
This approach does not work tremendously well, though it is of course better than nothing. Many people do not seem to respond well to it in terms of producing long term sobriety, as most will relapse within a few short weeks or months after leaving rehab. The question is, how can an alcohol rehab inspire people to stay clean and sober for longer?
The answer is all about massive action. Rehab does what it can to treat the alcoholic, and the informative lectures and group therapy is understandable. But really, a better approach might be to focus 90 percent of the energy and activities on creating habits for continuous, positive action after they leave treatment.
What is the alcoholic going to do when they walk out of the door of rehab? This is the only thing that matters. Nothing that they learn while in rehab can really prepare them for this moment, unless they are actually practicing a strategy that can be used on the outside.
For example, look at long term rehabs for some clues on how to implement this. People living in long term alcohol rehab often attend 12 step meetings on the outside on a regular basis. This would be awkward and difficult to implement in short term rehab, but would it be worth it? Some people think that this would work much better than a day full of lectures and groups, because you are exposing people to a real solution that they can use after they leave rehab.
Basically, rehab clinics give you information, and tell you “this is how to stay sober.” Instead, they should not tell you a thing, but instead take you out into the real world and walk you through it. Show me, don’t tell me. That is a more effective method of treatment.
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