Making Breakthroughs
Reaching the Addict through Multifaceted Therapy Efforts
Opening up with Drug Rehab Therapy The setting: a support group meeting in a residential drug rehab facility. The group is made up of only male treatment patients, and the topic for group: Things in life that can influence addiction. A man in his mid 30's begins to share with the group. He discusses some things about his past that led him to drink. For the story's purpose, we will call him 'Tom'. Tom is approaching his second month of sobriety and has been in alcohol rehab just shy of 60 days. He is very open in this group, as he shares things about himself that fellow patients did not know.
Of course, originally it wasn't like this at all. Over the past two months of treatment, Tom has learned and developed through many different types and kinds of therapies.
When he first arrived to rehab, Tom was in pretty bad shape. His wife and parents forced him into this situation, and he wanted no part of it. He felt almost like he was betrayed by his family. Group was very different then. He wouldn't share; he felt he had nothing to share. Treatment was a struggle as Tom's unwillingness to work the program was evident. However, he couldn't leave, and he felt that he should at lease improve some for his wife and kids.
The drug rehab program, stepped up its approach with Tom, and used more personalized psychotherapy sessions. Initially this wasn't a help either. But, as he became more comfortable around the therapist, Tom began to open up. Soon, he learned that he could discuss everything that was troubling him.
At first, it was trivial day-to-day things that were happening in rehab. Things like his roommate's bad bathroom habits, or how the food was too spicy. Eventually however, Tom began to open up about other things in his life. The therapist assisted Tom in recognizing the things in his life that led him to drinking. One of which was a rift he developed in adolescence with his father.
A few weeks went by and Tom's progress began to show. He began to share in group. Not as much at first, but it was a considerable improvement. Before these breakthroughs he would just sit there with his arms folded. A couple of weeks went by and a different element of drug rehab came into play; Family Program. Tom was nervous and anxious to go through rehab courses with his family.
His kids were still pretty young, so he was just joined by his wife and parents. The different elements of family week began to show proof of the strained relationship Tom had with his father. In an intimate family therapy session, the issues of this problem were brought to light. A few weeks prior, Tom wouldn't have shared at all. However, because of breakthroughs, he was more open. In that setting amends and apologies that have been required for decades were made. Tom and his father, for the first time in years, embraced in a tearful exchange.
Back to present, in the group meeting, Tom shares with his fellow residents about his father and the healing and growing they are doing. He tells the group how every fight with his dad led to drinking when he was younger. He then expressed his hope that in the future he could learn to just communicate with his father, without fear and contention.
The many elements of drug rehab therapy made this possible. It worked miracles to show Tom not only how to stop drinking, but also what to change in his life to make this possible. Multifaceted alcohol and drug rehab therapies makes these types of breakthroughs happen. It all stems from the caring provided by a dedicated drug rehab counselor, staff member or therapist.
