Overcoming Addiction Through Shared Relapse Experiences

Abstract

Institutional Affiliation 11th April 2021 [Author] (Sharing personal experience) Sharing personal experience is a group activity suitable for relapse prevention for clients in outpatient substance abuse treatment. This activity provides healing as it grants others the courage to talk about their relapse experience and demonstrates that they are not alone (SAMHSA, 2020). The outpatients have experienced serious addiction to substance like heroin but can only access the services during the day. Undertaking this activity will create a common experience to the members and a platform for supporting each other. Sharing personal experience can be conducted in specific steps. First, every group member will first share personal experience about their relapse journey. Second, the others will provide feedback and way forward to the story. Third, the members can repeat the process with a different subject. The end of this activity gives hope to the patients as they come to the realisation that others are also struggling (SAMHSA, 2020). For instance, when one can share about their recovery journey, others will trust the treatment process and focus on healing. The awareness of a mutual struggle will bring the members close to each other and this will provide a favourable environment for healing. Supportive leadership style is appropriate for sharing personal experience as relapse prevention activity. Outpatients taking substance abuse treatment needs a leader who is approachable and compassionate. Patients experiencing relapse are vulnerable and can easily give in to depression and give up fighting to sustain their health. This type of group needs a counsellor who is supportive, loving and caring. Supportive leader will show concern to the patient and treat them with value and as a result, they will recognize genuine concern and eventually trust the counsellor with their relapse issues (Blogger, 2016). This trust will create a better platform...