One area of interest in the study of group treatment focuses on the extent to which therapeutic philosophies and goals endorsed at the facility level are actually followed during the course of the treatment process. While participating in The Substance Abuse Treatment Study (SATS), a descriptive analysis of the content, process and context of group treatment, facility directors and group leaders were queried regarding treatment philosophy and treatment goals.
Directors and staff of nineteen facilities randomly selected from the Uniform Facility Data Set (UFDS) component of the Drug and Alcohol Services Information System (DASIS) were included in the sample. Sixty-four percent of the group leaders indicated they used a 12-step philosophy in their group the day of data collection. Fifty-five percent reported using a reality-oriented therapeutic philosophy, while 50 percent used a cognitive-behavioral therapeutic philosophy.
The two goals that all of the facilities emphasize in their treatment process are “learning strategies to cope with relapse” and “developing a greater sense of confidence in coping with high-risk situations for relapse.” “Learning to reframe appraisals of problematic situations” and “improving social skills” were considerable or primary foci of treatment for 94percent of the facilities.
Additional analysis will evaluate the extent to which these philosophies and goals are applied and realized in treatment using data recoded by observers in group treatment sessions.
Learning Objectives: 1. Evaluate the philosophies and goals of substance abuse treatment centers 2. Discuss the extent between therapeutic philosophies and goals endorsed among the facilities 3. Interpret the philosophies and goals of substance abuse treatment centers by their characteristics
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Drug Abuse Treatment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.