Perception Programs, Inc.

Project One-Eighty : Transitional Group

The Outpatient Substance Abuse Education Group

An Overview

This group is designed for individuals who need a basic understanding of substance abuse and its effects: physical, emotional, and interpersonal. It is educational, not therapeutic, in nature. This group gives an individual the foundation from which to build an effective treatment and support system. After an individual has completed this group he/she is evaluated and referred to other types of treatment/services as necessary.

An Outline

Week #1: Handout and discussion.

Questions and answers about addiction. How addiction is treated. What is treatment? Different types of treatment. Information on available help including twelve step programs. Clients explore and discuss the benefits and negative effects of the drug of their choice.

Week #2: Understanding Addictions And Their Progression

(Video) "Chalk Talk" by Father Martin. Discussion of how Clients may or may not relate to the video. Clients also explore and discuss the development and progression of their addictions.

Week #3: Recall; Questions and Answers

Clients explore and discuss John Hopkins University's 20 Questions. Clients also explore and discuss their last arrest by recalling and recording what took place 12 hours prior to this arrest. In addition, Clients explore why they want to stop, or why they don't want to stop, use/abuse of chemicals.

Week #4: Genogram

Clients explore how addictions run in families. Clients participate by drawing a genogram that includes their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, andsiblings.

Week #5: Family Roles

Clients explore and discuss roles that families assume when there is an active addict in the family. Clients explore inner feelings and the outer defenses of each role assumed. Clients explore their feelings as well as their own participation in these unhealthy roles.

Week #6: Video, Under the Influence (I)

This film illustrates the roles that families assume with active addiction.

Week #7: Video, Under the Influence (II)

Clients explore and discuss how they can relate to the roles that familiesassume and, which role, or roles, they most identify with.

Week #8: Denial

(Handouts) Clients explore and discuss denial as a major symptom of addiction to protect themselves from troubling realities. Clients can unconsciously use many maneuvers and defenses, such as minimizing, blaming, rationalizing, intellectualizing, diversion, and implementing the wheel of denial.

Week #9: Disease Concept/Codependency

(Video) Disease Concept. Discussing how the group relates, or does not relate, to the video. Exploration and discussion of the human need to alter consciousness.

Week #10: Triggers, Traps and Setup

Handouts: Relapse prevention. Exploration and discussion of various behaviors that trigger setup and lead to relapse.

Who is eligible to attend?

To be eligible for the Substance Abuse Education Group an individual must:

• be on parole, probation, or Transitional Supervision.
• have a history of substance abuse.
• be referred by the Community Supervision Officer, Parole Officer, ProbationOfficer, Regional Coordinator, or counselor at the institution at whichhe/she was formerly an inmate.
• have at least 6 weeks remaining on his/her stipulation.
• be willing to abide by group rules and regulations, which includes mandatoryattendance at all groups.
• demonstrate a willingness to participate in the group.

Referrals and Information

If you are currently incarcerated in an institution and wish to join this group upon your release, let your Counselor/Case Manager know of your interest and he/she will evaluate you for participation and make us aware of your interest.

To make a referral to the group or to receive more information, contact the Intake Screener, Edna Beltran, at New Perceptions, 450-0151. Specify that you are making a referral to the Project 180 substance abuse education group.

We conduct interviews both over the phone and in person. As demand arises,we may be able to conduct groups for Spanish-only speaking clients.

Personal Responsibility Credo