Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders 3rd ed - R. Frances, S. Miller, A. Mack (Guilford, 2005) WW

504 V. TREATMENTS FOR ADDICTIONSTABLE 23.1. Different Group Modalities for Treatment of AlcoholicsCategory Technique Goals Curative factorsInteractionalInterpretation ofinteractional process;promotion of selfdisclosureandemotion expressionPromotion ofunderstanding andresolution ofinterpersonalproblemsIncreased awareness ofown relatednessModifiedinteractionalProcessing ofinteractionalproblems, but strongemphasis on ancillarysupports forabstinence such asAA and AntabusePromotion ofabstinence andimprovement ofinterpersonaldifficultiesIncorporation of specificresources to supportabstinence andimprovement ofinterpersonal relatednessBehavioralReinforcement ofabstinence-promotingbehaviors;punishment ofundesirable behaviorsSpecific behaviormodificationPrevention of specificresponsesInsight-orientedpsychotherapyExploration andinterpretation ofgroup and individualprocessesPromotion of abilityto tolerate distressingfeelings withoutresorting to alcoholIncreased insight andimproved ability totolerate stressSupportiveSpecific supportoffered to individuals,to enable them todraw on their ownresourcesPromotion ofadaptation to alcoholfreelivingImprovement in selfconfidence,andincorporation of specificrecommendationsGroups differ in their aims and the style of their leaders. Some groups allowfor discussion of issues other than addiction in the hope that group memberswill identify the association between the addictive behavior and all otherproblems. Other groups focus primarily on relapse prevention through the identificationand discussion of all problems, even if unrelated to the addictivebehavior. Groups also vary according to the degree of support offered tomembers—from confrontational groups that give support only when a patientespouses the views of the group leader to supportive groups that accept andexplore individual attitudes and beliefs.Despite the obvious importance of group style and the need for clearlydescribed group techniques, little has been written that provides group leaderswith specific group strategies (Vannicelli, Canning, & Griefen, 1984). Thequestion of the group’s style (defined as the way in which the group’s goals and