Social and Community Support
“Groups offer a number of advantages over individual or other counselling methods including creating a sense of universality or the understanding that clients are not alone in their struggles” (Yalom & Lesczc, 2005). The use of group treatment in treatment recovery centres is often the primary mode of treatment and offers a number of advantages.
Clients undergoing individual treatment may not receive the necessary support or feedback from individuals who have gone through similar situations who might help in the recovery process (Cuizon, 2009). Building a support network of professionals, peers, and family members are fundamental when building a solid relapse prevention plan. Creating a support network and maintaining it may provide the best long-term results. Prevention programs are most often conducted in a group setting when clients are developing effective strategies for recovery (Weiss, Jaffee, de Menil, & Cogley, 2004).
Addiction is also a disease of isolation, so group support has a fundamental function of making the addiction public and requiring people with problems with addiction to become more accountable for choices that they make in persisting with destructive and addictive behaviours. For this Discussion, review this week’s resources.
Consider the role that groups and communities might play in addiction recovery and possible ways in which social interactions might help an individual in recovery maintain sobriety. In addition, think about your own views concerning society’s obligations toward individuals suffering from addiction. Post a 300-word paper detailing: Why society has an obligation to help individuals with addiction.
Explain why and how. Then explain three ways that community support or a group approach may assist in the recovery of clients with problems with addiction. Support your response using the resources and current literature.
