Running Head: PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO GROUP THERAPY

Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction

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Introduction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there are numerous

principles that can be used for the management of addiction. These psychotherapeutic

approaches aim at improving the chances of treatment success by bringing an end to the use of

drugs/alcohol, reducing the relapse risks, and providing the chance of an individual with

addiction to restart and rebuild their personal lives. As outlined by Wheeler, (2014), some of the

psychotherapeutic approaches used for addiction treatment are behavioral therapy, cognitive

behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, community reinforcement and family training,

dialectical behavior therapy, the integrative approach, contingency management, and rational

emotive behavior therapy. This paper discusses the use of the motivational interviewing approach

for addiction. A description of CBT as an alternative approach to group therapy for addiction will

also be provided.

Psychotherapeutic Approach the Group Facilitator

The group facilitator is using the psychotherapeutic approach of motivational

interviewing to ensure that the sobriety of clients is maintained and relapse is prevented.

Addiction is normally rooted in numerous triggers such as thoughts, circumstances, emotions,

behaviors and social interactions as revealed in the group conversations. As a form of person-

centered therapy, the key purpose of motivational interviewing as used by the group facilitator, in

this case, was to help the clients to find their personal drives and desires and to make the most

relevant choices as compared to being forced into it using threats (Miller & Rose, 2015).

Three major aspects were also evident from the group therapy. These aspects are

autonomy, collaboration, and evocation. Collaboration was expressed by the therapist as he

worked to share the client’s perceptions as compared to challenging them (Walitzer, et al., 2015).
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Evocation through change production from the client’s point of view was also evident with the

determination of a stronger dedication, commitment and a prolonged consistency with treatment

for 5 years, 6years even 11 years. With regards to autonomy, it was clear how the clients within

the group had the responsibility for themselves and the power to make their personal decisions

which ultimately resulted in good mental health outcomes.

Whether or I Would Use the Same Psychotherapeutic As the Counselor

From a personal perspective, I would similarly use the motivational interviewing

approach as the counselor for addiction treatment. Motivational interviewing has five major

principles that make it the best choice for group therapy in substance use disorders. As outlined

by Walitzer, et al., (2015), these principles are: promoting collaboration, autonomy, empathy,

acceptance and understanding, and decision making. With these principles, it is easier to inspire

an individual to progress from an indecisive/uncertain state and be motivated to make positive

decisions to attain specific goals (Riper, et al., 2014). For instance, in this case, the use of

motivational interviewing would be the most appropriate to: engage the group, evoke the

perspectives of members, broaden their viewpoints, create mindful frameworks for change and to

inspire them to move into action as they did.

Alternative Approach to Group Therapy for Addiction

Another alternative psychotherapeutic approach, in this case, would be cognitive

behavioral therapy. Each client in the group had the opportunity to explain their past experiences,

behaviors, emotions, and feelings that contributed directly and indirectly to their behaviors. With

the use of CBT, each client within the group would be provided with the chance to relate their

negative patterns of thinking, behaviors, and feelings to maladaptive behaviors that members

would wish to address (Wölfling, et al., 2014). The therapist in collaboration with group
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members would assist each other on ways to eliminate these cognitive distortions to address the

issues of addiction.
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References

Miller, W. R., & Rose, G. S. (2015). Motivational interviewing and decisional balance:

contrasting responses to client ambivalence. Behavioral and cognitive

psychotherapy, 43(2), 129-141.

Wölfling, K., Beutel, M. E., Dreier, M., & Müller, K. W. (2014). Treatment outcomes in patients

with internet addiction: a clinical pilot study on the effects of a cognitive-behavioral

therapy program. BioMed research international, 2014.

Riper, H., Andersson, G., Hunter, S. B., de Wit, J., Berking, M., & Cuijpers, P. (2014). Treatment

of comorbid alcohol use disorders and depression with cognitive-behavioral therapy and

motivational interviewing: A meta‐analysis. Addiction, 109(3), 394-406.

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to

guide for evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing

Company.

Walitzer, K. S., Dermen, K. H., Barrick, C., & Shyhalla, K. (2015). Modeling the Innovation-

Decision Process: Dissemination and Adoption of a Motivational Interviewing

Preparatory Procedure In Addiction Outpatient Clinics. Journal of substance abuse

treatment, 57, 18-29.