Group Work at Caswell Clinic
Chat Issue Winter 2006
The drug and alcohol group is one of many groups run at the Clinic. It is a closed group, that is, once the group has started nobody else can join or observe any of the sessions. Prior to the group commencing individuals are given various forms to complete, these forms are then repeated after the group has concluded in order to evaluate an individual′s progress and any change regarding their attitudes and abilities to abstain. That is, not to take particular substances. A report will then be completed and presented to each individual′s clinical team.
The first session of the group entails making the ground rules, that is, when and where breaks are to take place, issues of confidentiality and respect for others and expectations of everyone. Some rules are negotiated between the group members, others, are clarified by the facilitators, and people are expected to comply.
The following sessions are planned and structured, examples of which are, teaching problem solving skills, relapse prevention, identification of high-risk situations, identifying antecedents and consequences of taking substances.
The sessions are usually weekly and the group takes about ten weeks to complete. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance for each session and if all the sessions are attended a certificate of completion of the group will be presented. The last group had their certificates presented by Dr. Tegwyn Williams, during a buffet lunch, which was quite an honour.
Anybody can be referred to the group, just ask your primary nurse if you feel you would like to work on any issues regarding use of substances, whether it be caffeine, tobacco or other sorts of substances which may cause difficulties to yourself or others.