Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations: An Integration of Theory and Practice / Edition 4

by Philip J. Flores, Jeffrey Roth, Barney Straus

Overview

This newly updated and streamlined edition of Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations provides proven strategies for combating alcohol and drug addiction through group psychotherapy.

The interventions discussed in the book build on a foundation of addiction as an attachment disorder rooted in the understanding of addiction as a family disease. An appreciation of group and organizational dynamics is used to address the complex experience of developmental trauma that underlies addiction. Having identified the essential theoretical underpinnings of supporting recovery from addiction in Part One, the second half of the book gives a thorough nuts and bolts description of constructing a psychotherapy group and engaging productively in the successive phases of its development from initiation of treatment to termination. The book concludes with specific recommendations for group psychotherapists to increase their competence with groups, deepen their appreciation of group and organizational dynamics and develop a community of support for their own well-being.

These methods are important for psychotherapists working with addicted populations who are inexperienced with group psychotherapy as well as seasoned group psychotherapists wishing to enhance their work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138898356
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/05/2023
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Philip J. Flores, PhD, AGPA-F, is a clinical psychologist and group psychotherapist who has worked extensively with addictive diseases and the author of Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations and Addiction as an Attachment Disorder.

Jeffrey D. Roth, MD, AGPA-F, DFASAM, FAKRI, DLFAPA, is an addiction psychiatrist and group psychotherapist and the author of Group Psychotherapy and Recovery from Addiction: Carrying the Message.

Barney Straus, LCSW, AGPA-F, is an adventure-based therapist and group psychotherapist in private practice and the author of Healing in Action: Adventure-Based Counseling with Therapy Groups.

Table of Contents

Part I: Theoretical Models 1. Addiction as an Attachment Disorder 2. Addiction is a Family Disease: An Attachment Theory Perspective 3. The Family is the Original Group: Group Relations and Addiction 4. Addiction is the Attempt to Maintain the Original Family: Trauma and its Re-enactment in Group Psychotherapy 5. Mutual Support is the Key to Constructing a Recovering Family: Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions 6. Addiction to Theory is the Group Psychotherapist’s Most Serious Resistance: Exposing the Blind Men and the Elephant Part II: Nuts and Bolts 7. Conception and Birth: Preparing a Group Member 8. Holding the Infant: The Opening Phase of Group Psychotherapy 9. Separation and Individuation: Rupture and Repair 10. Play and Adventure: Enabling Peer Support 11. Termination: Letting Go and Letting God 12. Preparation of the Group Psychotherapist

What People are Saying About This

Molyn Leszcz

In this VERY CLEAR AND WELL-WRITTEN text book, DR. FLORES HAS SET THE STANDARD in his articulation of the way group therapy plays a pivotal role in the treatment of persons suffering from addictions. . . . Advances our understanding of the integration of addictions into mental health; psychology of the mind and biology of the brain; models of group therapy; 12-step approaches and leader led groups; scientific knowledge and clinical wisdom; and, the pivotal role that an understanding of attachment plays in effective group psychotherapy. . . . NEW CHAPTERS WRITTEN FOR THIS EDITION ARE OF GREAT VALUE: the first chapter on interpersonal neurobiology and addictions, is A MUST READ, not only for those who work in the area of addictions, but for psychotherapists in general, who are interested in understanding how the work that they do with their clients modifies their clients' brain as well as their clients' thinking. (Molyn Leszcz, MD, FRCPC, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital, Professor and Head, Group Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto)

Edward J. Khantzian

SCHOLARLY YET IMMENSELY HELPFUL AND PRACTICAL BOOK . . . covers all the bases, integrating how group therapy and twelve step programs help to access and transform the core vulnerabilities of addicted individuals. . . . BRILLIANTLY FOCUSES on how the relational and self regulatory problems of addicted individuals can be addressed and modified by informed clinical approaches and twelve step programs. . . . ASTUTELY INSTRUCTS us how group and twelve step programs can serve as correctives by replacing addictive behaviors with meaningful and transforming relationships. (Edward J. Khantzian, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Medical School at Tewksbury Hospital and the Cambridge Health Alliance)

Marilyn Freimuth

THIS BOOK KEEPS GETTING BETTER! Flores has interwoven his in depth explorations into attachment theory and addiction to create a text that is rare to find: a practical guide to treatment that is theoretically grounded. After reading this book, practitioners will be able to PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT TO ADDICTED POPULATIONS because they will know what to do and why to do it. This is really five books in one. . . . Provides comprehensive readable overviews of the nature of addictions, group therapy, 12-step work and psychodynamic theory. At the same time he interweaves these topics to create a theoretically grounded practical guide to more effective addiction treatment. (Marilyn Freimuth, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University and author of Hidden Addictions)

Henry I. Spitz

Every so often a rare text comes along that possesses the qualities of being theoretically sound, clinically wise and easily readable. Philip Flores has written such a book. . . . A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION toward enriching our understanding of the interplay between psychological theory, neuroscience research and clinical group work with people struggling with problems of addiction. With his unique blend of scholarship and pragmatism, Dr. Flores provides the reader with A THOUGHTFUL AND WELL DOCUMENTED ROAD MAP for negotiating the notoriously challenging terrain of treating addicted individuals. This book is A 'MUST READ' for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the use of group therapy for substance abuse treatment. (Henry I. Spitz MD, DFAGPA, Director Group Psychotherapy Training Program, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, & Distinguished Fellow, Americana Group Psychotherapy Association)

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book discusses the use of group psychotherapy for those experiencing alcohol and drug addiction, exploring both theory and practice. It is written from an attachment theory perspective. The authors distinguish between mutual support groups (AA, NA, CA) and professionally-led therapy groups. This fourth edition is an update to the previous version, which was published in 2007.
Purpose: This book aims to present group psychotherapy strategies to address alcohol and drug addiction. By analyzing interventions, as well as group and organizational dynamics, the book explores the complexities of addiction, highlighting underlying factors such as attachment disorder and developmental trauma. These are very worthy objectives, and the book meets the stated objectives.
Audience: The book is aimed at both new and experienced group psychotherapists working with individuals facing addiction. It meets the needs of its intended audience. The authors are credible authorities in the subject matter. Phillip J. Flores is a psychologist who uses group methods with individuals who suffer from different addictions and has published a book on addiction and attachment disorder. Jeffrey Roth is a psychiatrist who focuses on addictive behaviors, conducts group therapy, and has written a book on the use of groups for recovery from addiction. Barney Straus is a group psychotherapist and author of a book discussing adventure-based counseling in therapy groups.
Features: The book begins with an introduction to the topic. It classifies addiction as an attachment disorder, with evidence from neuroscience, in terms of the correlation between synaptic activity and formative relationships. It is also categorized as a family disease, as addiction tends to run in families. Group functioning can be seen in similar terms of family dynamics; group members may use the group to reenact family trauma in order to establish secure attachment. Therapists can help create an environment of mutual support among group members. Many different theoretical models can be helpful in treating addiction. Part II explores the practical steps of starting groups and preparing group members. Therapists must form a cohesive working group as soon as possible. Ethical and legal issues are discussed early on. According to the authors, therapists' primary tasks are boundary management and interpretation of group behavior. The goal is to help members change dysfunctional roles and repair relationships. It is challenging when a member announces that they are leaving the group and how this decision will impact others. The book ends with information regarding training group psychotherapists in terms of education and personal characteristics. The book is very readable and contains hundreds of references to follow up on.
Assessment: This book is excellent, as it explores both theory and practical application. It is written from an attachment theory framework and views addiction as a family disease. Readers will find this information quite interesting. The fourth edition justifies replacing the previous version, as research has increased greatly in the past 15 years. The chapters have been updated and new information has been added.

Doody's Review Service

"Provides an enthusiastic, thoughtful, and clear endorsement of the effectiveness of group psychotherapy in the modern treatment of addiction. The brilliant use of metaphor and vignettes to explain complex phenomena aid greatly in understanding precisely how group is the best approach with this population. A must have and read for anyone in the field of addiction treatment."

Christopher Stewart, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Louisville School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry; Training Director, Addiction Psychiatry Residency Program

"Building on attachment theory and family dynamics, the authors describe an addictions-specific approach to group therapy, complementary with 12-step recovery and respectful of the offerings of multiple treatment approaches. Rather than ‘either-or,’ this volume offers a ‘yes, and’ perspective on how individuals find their recovery path within group frameworks. This volume has already made me a better clinician."

Fred Baurer, MD, Medical Director, Kirkbride Center

"What Yalom’s textbook on group psychotherapy is to the field of psychotherapy, Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations is sure to become to the field of working with addictions in group. The authors make a convincing case for understanding addictions as attachment disorders, and just as convincingly a case for the singular benefits of group treatment as an essential part of addiction treatment. This is the rare text that is essential for both beginning and advanced clinicians."

Gil Spielberg, PhD, AGPA-F, certified Group Psychotherapist and training and supervising Psychoanalyst

"This fourth edition of Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations brings up to date principles for conducting group therapy virtually in our post-covid world, addresses the issues of systemic racism and health inequity as they show up in groups, and importantly impresses upon the reader the importance of joy in the therapeutic group process."

Kimberly Dennis, MD, CEDS, nationally recognized expert on recovery from eating disorders; Co-Founder and Medical Director at SunCloud Health

"This is a ‘must read’ for anyone who deals with the family disease of addiction. The authors explain how the healing dynamics of group therapy may be integrated with the 12 step paradigm."

Michael O’Malley, MB, BCh, BAO, CCFP, FCFP

"Problems with substance use are described as a family problem, reflecting the need to address the dynamics in the person’s chosen family. The book draws from several knowledge bases including attachment theory to show how group experiences can be a powerful antidote to those challenges. The book relates theory as well as concrete guidance that would benefit anyone facilitating groups with people struggling with substance use."

Noah Lipton, LCSW, MPA, Implementation Specialist, New York State Psychiatric Institute

"Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations brilliantly elucidate the roots of addiction by illustrating the impact of the diseased family on the individual and skillfully characterizing addiction as an attachment disorder. They adeptly describe how the illness manifests in group and individual settings and most importantly, how the therapist can successfully navigate this therapeutically, making this book obligatory reading for all addiction providers."

Paige Marnell, MD, Medical Director, Magnolia Center for Addictive Disease

"Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations is an indispensable resource that sets the standard for substance use treatment in an easy-to-read work that will benefit clinicians of every skill level. It captures the intricacies of group psychotherapy, including the impact of modern culture and technology on mental health and the influence of virtual therapy platforms on the treatment of substance use disorders."

Ryan Drzewiecki, PsyD, LP, Chief Clinical Officer, Sierra Tucson

"Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations offers a breath of fresh air by holistic addressing the family disease. The authors are direct about the many barriers within the professional community to overcoming denial, trauma, professional ignorance, and narrowness of thinking which block more widespread progress in treating the family disease."

Tom Adams, MSW, executive and leadership transition consultant and writer on addiction recovery

"In clear-eyed, compelling, insightful prose, this book weaves together the major teachings of attachment theory, family systems theory, Freudian psychoanalysis, and the 12 Steps to make for a truly insightful magnum opus on the art and science of group process for addictions. The power of working in the ‘here and now’ as opposed to the ‘there and then,’ as well as the ways in which group dynamics are a re-enactment of dysfunctional family of origin dynamics support the emphasis on collective decision-making regarding group rules and boundaries. Current issues from COVID-19 to telehealth were woven into the discussion in relevant and helpful ways. This book is a must-read for anyone working in group therapy with persons recovering from addiction."

Anna Lembke, MD, professor of psychiatry and author of Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.

From the Publisher