COUC 691 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Support_and_Treatment_Groups_ASSIGNMENT 2023.pdf

SUPPORT & TREATMENT GROUPS 1

Support & Treatment Groups

Ryan Chrzanowski

School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University

SUPPORT & TREATMENT GROUPS 2

Abstract

Dr. Lewin, a German-American psychologist is credited for creating everything that

encompasses treatment groups. He deduced that a group of individuals together was stronger

than the sum of its parts. The first example of the impact of group treatment was with the

successful 12-step plan has thus been implemented by other groups such as Narcotics

Anonymous (NA) and Al-Anon. These groups are available to anyone battling addiction and are

specifically specialized for various addictions people are fighting.

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Support & Treatment Groups

Throughout this course, I have had the privilege to witness and participate in what are

considered the three main support groups; Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous

(NA), and Al-Anon. Attending AA first was a blessing because it is considered the forerunner to

(Rooms, 2022).

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was birthed from AA and share similar qualities in their

meeting’s beginnings and endings. All three of these groups share the concrete purpose of

Al-Anon was created by the family members of addicted persons who would have to wait

outside of the meetings for their loved ones. The family members found comradery and support

through their shared struggle of having loved ones who struggle with alcoholism (Rooms, 2022).

These members realized they too could use the 12-Step process to not only better themselves but

also provide the support to their family member that was in recovery. Witnessing these groups, it

was easy to see how they adopted the AA model to fill the necessities needed by its members.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

AA was established to create “a fellowship of men and women who are able to relate and

share their experiences, strength, and hopes with each other in order to solve their common

problem and help others recover from alcoholism" (Kuntz, 1991). This group does not require

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any dues or fees to become a member, and their only requirement is that members genuinely

wish to quit drinking.

Alcoholics Anonymous, A Brief History

Alcoholics Anonymous was created in 1935 by a surgeon and stockbroker, Dr. Bob S.

that alcoholism is a disease the not only effects the body, but also the mind and soul. They made

it their personal mission to achieve complete sobriety. They began testing their program in a

hospital in Akron and their very first patient achieved complete sobriety which then moved them

member understood this principle they could take the first step towards recovery. The first step to

recovery was for members to understand that "we admitted we were powerless over alcohol -

that our lives had become unmanageable” (Kuntz, 1991). This process created a strong

foundation of fellowship and support within the group and at the center of the AA program.

Meeting Structure & Function

The focus of all AA meetings is to follow the 12-Step process that leads members

towards recovery and the constant maintenance of their condition. All meetings begin in spaces

that are quiet to allow everyone to hear who is speaking, as well as being uninterrupted.

Meetings are also usually held in the same place, at the same time each week. Each meeting

begins casually with a leader or chairperson introducing themselves and stating that “I am an

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alcoholic,” as well any important information before the meeting moves forward. Once this is

complete, new members are given the opportunity to introduce themselves in a similar manner.

There is usually a reading of the “Preamble” and then everyone reads, "How It Works"

from the "Alcoholics Anonymous" book (in addition to a reading of the 12 Traditions). Members

the topic of discussion for the meeting. Once the main portion of the meeting has concluded, the

entire group stands, holds hands, and then recites the “Serenity Prayer,” "God, grant me the

serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the

program with regards to the 12-Step process, however, this program has been adjusted to focus

on narcotic substance use disorder rather than alcoholism. Groups are made of up addicted

persons in recovery that meet weekly to not only support each other, but also hold each other

accountable for their sober journey. The purpose is to help members realize that addiction is not

an incurable condition but rather a temporary state that can be overcome by following the 12-

Steps and establishing fellowship and support through the group setting.

According to the official Narcotics Anonymous website NA was established in 1953 by

James Patrick Kinnon in Los Angeles, California. The core of NA was to help addicted persons

gain sobriety from addictive substances. When NA was established, Alcoholics Anonymous had

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already been around for 20 years. NA adopted some of the principles, guidelines, and structure of

AA including the 12-Step program with slight changes to focus more on the addictive narcotics

that its members were addicted to. Finally, “NA grew slowly compared to the AA, branching

from LA to Australia by the 1970s and then, throughout the 1970s, Germany, India, the UK,

The structure and function of NA meetings mirrors AA meeting in a lot of ways in that

these meetings focus on a specific topic that is introduced by a group leader or facilitator that is

then opened for discussion. Members share their personal journeys as well as showing support

Al-Anon

This meeting was the most interesting as it is made up of individuals that are not

suffering from substance use disorder themselves but rather they gather to gain support in order

to support a loved one or friend that is suffering from this condition. This group is rather

important as it provides not only support for those close to those in recovery, but also provides

them with the tools to help themselves as well as support those close to them working towards

sobriety.

Al-Anon is the brainchild of Lois Wilson, the wife of a recovering alcoholic. She would

attend AA meetings with her husband until she reached the realization that she too needed

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support (H, 2020). “One Sunday, Bill asked me if I was ready to go to the meeting with him. To

my astonishment as well as his, I burst forth with, “Damn your old meetings!” and threw a shoe

as hard as I could” (Al-Anon.org, 2022). This epiphany caused other supporters of family to

begin meeting outside of AA meetings and applying the 12-Steps to their particular

circumstances and provide better support to their family member that was in recovery. This

process would also help heal relationships that were strained or broken because of addiction.

However, it was not until 1951 that these members began officially holding meetings of their

These meetings observe the same format as AA and NA meetings in that there is an

opening, Serenity Prayer, welcome statement. “A suggested Al-Anon welcome is a scripted

welcome, preamble to the Twelve Steps. They go over the twelve traditions, warranties of the

conference, the Twelve Steps, and the suggested closing, which is also scripted. The group's

function is to support people who have an addicted person in their life” (Al-Anon Family Group,

2022). They then allow members, new and old, to share personal information regarding their

current situation and what support they need.

These groups consist of trained professionals that specialize in substance use disorder and

group treatment models with a goal of understanding and meeting client needs. This is

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accomplished through a multiphase program of recovery that establishes methodology and group

goals. Today, there are five group therapy models are considered to be the most effective. They

are; Skills Development Groups, Cognitive Behavioral Groups, Psychoeducational Groups,

Interpersonal Processing Groups, and Support Groups.

Lewin developed the theory that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Later, group

therapy was used to treat shell-shocked soldiers in World War II (WW II). In the 1950s, Dr. Bion

developed his theory on groups with two paradigms: the workgroup and the primary assumption

these patients, there was a significant impact on the patient’s emotional state as well as how open

they were in discussing their specific problems, concerns, as well as garnering support from one

and other. The results of these sessions were “very positive and became known as the "first

formally organized therapeutic group in literature” (Ezhumalai et al., 2018)

These groups usually meet in quiet rooms with chairs arranged in a circle to provide

members an open view of every other member. However, unlike substance use disorder

meetings, these meetings usually start with each member’s self-introduction and opportunities

for those members to share their experiences and reason for being in group therapy. These

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meetings are also less structured than substance use disorder meetings in that meeting topics

usually shift depending on the overall group goals, individual goals, and mood of the meeting.

This method allows each member the opportunity to share as much or as little as they are

comfortable with. These groups also “explore the foundation of current behaviors and aim to

counselor will suggest topics for discussion and “encourage the participants to examine life

issues germane to their situation” (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).

Compare & Contrast

curriculum, Therapy Groups worked towards a more “conversational” type of therapy and

support. While each group had a leader, each leader played a different role depending on the

needs, goals, and mission of the specific group, however, it always appeared that the group

leader was responsible for introducing conversational topics.

Another difference between addiction therapy groups and support groups is the level of

qualifications required for the leader or chairperson. Addiction therapy leaders are licensed

counselors whereas the support group leader is not required to be licensed as long as they meet

certain qualifications based on the specific group they are working with. Finally, addiction

groups seem centered around faith or spirituality by incorporating a “higher power” as part of the