My style of doing group counseling with those in recovery, especially in the early stages of recovery, is to be more directive and even didactic. It is important to get that the addicts thought process is what created their life situation and it is their thought process that is the key to their recovery. If left to its own current level of functioning, that is, with respect to both the process and content, the addict will most likely use again, and relapse after discharge. To confront the addict’s thoughts and thinking process in way that does not appear as an attack on their self is very important. The separation of the client or self and their way of thinking is an important one to make as a therapist and with the client. While the client it not his or her thoughts or thinking process, it is their thinking pattern that is directing their life and as a result creating their addiction, or atleast bringing the drugs and alcohol into their life. It is their thoughts and thinking process that must change inorder for recovery to be successful.
