Evolution of group therapy policies with hospitalized drug addicts in the narcotic unit at Central Islip State Hospital

Group therapy for multiple addictions, pathological gambling and drug dependency, has not yet been empirically validated. This study assesses the outcome of group therapy conducted with 8 gamblers and 16 substance users. Using a concurrent nested design, the study evaluates the effect of treatment on the reduction and/or elimination of the addictive behaviour. In order to better understand the findings, the study examined participants’ perceptions of group cohesion and their opinions on having a diversity of addiction problems within the group. The presence of specific therapeutic elements associated with cognitive behaviour therapy for pathological gambling was evaluated. The results suggest that 62% of the participants achieved their therapeutic objectives through the therapy. The achievement of therapeutic objectives is associated with the perception of a strong connection within the group. The participants did not appear to have had a positive opinion of the diversity of addiction problems within the group. Finally, it appears that the specific elements of cognitive behavioral therapy for pathological gambling, such as gambling specific information and cognitive restructuring of gambling distorted beliefs, are not presented to the gamblers in these groups. The study results demonstrate the need to re-examine the use of group therapy including gamblers and drug addicts, and further avenues of study are proposed.Résumé Les traitements en groupe incluant des problématiques de dépendance variées (GPDV), de jeu d’argent pathologique (JAP) et de toxicomanie, ne font pas l’objet actuellement de validation empirique. Conséquemment, la présente étude évalue les retombées des traitements en GPDV auprès de 8 joueurs et de 16 toxicomanes. Par un devis mixte de type simultané imbriqué, l’étude évalue les retombées du traitement sur l’atteinte des objectifs thérapeutiques de réduction ou de cessation du comportement de dépendance. Afin d’esquisser une piste explicative à ces retombées, l’étude examine également la force de la cohésion perçue et l’appréciation de l’hétérogénéité des problématiques de dépendance au sein du groupe. La présence de composantes spécifiques associées au traitement cognitif-comportemental du JAP est évaluée. Les résultats indiquent que 62 % des participants ont atteint leurs objectifs thérapeutiques après le traitement. L’atteinte des objectifs thérapeutique est associée à la perception d’une forte cohésion au sein du groupe. L’hétérogénéité des problématiques de dépendance au sein du groupe apparait peu appréciée des participants. Finalement, il semble que les composantes spécifiques du traitement du JAP ne sont pas présentées aux joueurs de ces groupes. À échéance, l’étude démontre la nécessité d’avoir une réflexion sur le recours au traitement en GDPV pour les joueurs et les toxicomanes et des pistes de recherches sont proposées.

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Group Therapy on State Hospital Chronic Wards: Some Guidelines

International Journal of Group Psychotherapy ◽

10.1080/00207284.1996.11491492 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 163-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Janice Sultenfuss ◽

Bela Geczy

Keyword(s):

Group Therapy ◽

State Hospital

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Patterns of Affective Responses in Two Groups of Pedophiles

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1968.22.2.659 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 659-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Frank J. Vanasek ◽

Louise V. Frisbie ◽

Harvey F. Dingman

Keyword(s):

Group Therapy ◽

State Hospital ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Semantic Differential ◽

Affective Responses ◽

Social Climate ◽

The Social ◽

History Of ◽

Therapy Treatment

A sample of 143 persons who were on probation or parole who had a history of child molesting were selected and compared with a sample of 215 pedophiles who were selected from a large state hospital. They were then compared on the basis of rating scales for 25 word pairs which were similar to words used by Osgood, et al. (1957) in the study of the semantic differential. The factors derived from the ratings of pedophiles in the community reflected their need to present good stereotypes and acceptable facades. The factors derived from the analysis of patients in an institution seemed to be related to reactions to individual and group therapy treatment. No over-all stereotype of pedophiles' reactions seemed to emerge; rather, the factor structure seemed to be associated with the social climate in which the members of each group were living.

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