The Stages of a Chemical Dependency Group

In order to run a successful chemical dependency group, several factors must come into play. The client or patient's well being and health is always top priority and must be constantly under a watchful eye. By following models of human behavior and change, chemical dependency groups are able to form successful programs to assist those looking to overcome chemical addictions.

Steps to Recovery

• The National Institute of Drug Abuse states that drug addiction affects users in different ways, and because of such variation in addiction the treatment itself might vary from user to user. Drug users who enter chemical dependency groups or rehabilitation should be prepared to do some hard work mentally and emotionally. Chemical dependency rehabilitation will also be hard physically on the body as the user goes through detox and entering rehab with the notion that "cleaning up" is easy is not beneficial to the user. By going through the stages of a dependency group however, change is possible and can be successful.

Initiating Treatment

• When a person with a chemical dependency decides he would like to receive treatment, he has effectively started the chain of events for recovering from addiction. Only the user can start this process---by attending a meeting or chemical dependency group, or by seeing a doctor who will recommend a group for support. Forcing a drug user to attend a meeting will never be as successful as when he himself makes the decision to attend, as recovering from addiction is a personal choice and the user cannot halfheartedly be invested in the process. During this first stage of "reaching out," the user may not be fully convinced that he can actually abstain from the drug. Denial may fester in the mind of the user. This is normal and will be focused on further in group sessions.

Early Abstinence

• Once the drug user has accepted that there is an addiction, she must learn to abstain from the chemical she is dependent on. The early stages of abstinence can be brutal for the addict. Physical and mental symptoms of withdrawal will start to affect her. It is important in this stage of the dependency group to make sure there is plenty of support, both personal and professional, available to the addict as she is recovering from withdrawal. The addict will learn coping mechanisms when cravings attack, and also what triggers these cravings in the first place. In a group setting, members might interact by participating in activities like a sharing time. Participants will take turns going around the room detailing a situation that they struggle with. Other participants will have an opportunity to give advice on how they may have dealt with similar situations, and how they have overcome this particular struggle. Sharing a common bond with other group members encourages the participant to continue on his journey of staying sober.

Maintaning Abstinence

• The National Institute of Drug Addiction has determined that the beginning of the third stage starts when the addict has been abstinent for 90 days straight. The addict will learn how to continue his abstinence through various avenues. Group therapy will be a continuing source of support. Previous addicts can provide guidance and information based on experience. The addict may also be seeing a doctor or psychologist at the same time in order to ensure that all aspects of his health are being addressed. If there have been other problems in the addict's life, now will be the time to address those issues. He may be encouraged to look for a job, or to mend broken relationships. It is crucial that he maintain an all-around healthy lifestyle in order to avoid a relapse.

Advanced Recovery

• The final stage of addiction recovery will not happen quickly. It takes years of support groups and guidance for an addict to reach the final stage of recovery. If the addict has been sober for more than 5 years, she may be in advanced recovery. At this point, she will be living a healthy life. The recovered addict will be living more independently, without constant need for a doctor or group session. It is always encouraged, however, that if at any given point the recovering addict believes she is reverting back to her old ways, she should attend a group meeting or see her counselor for support and advice.