NRNP 6650 Discussion Group Therapy for Addiction
NRNP 6650 Discussion Group Therapy for Addiction
Consider the following scenario:
The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is working for a community health clinic
that offers state mandated “intensive outpatient rehabilitation” services for individuals
who face incarceration for driving while under the influence. Mr. Smith, a 24-year-old
male patient, shows up for his initial intake appointment and says, “Look, this sounds like
it’s going to be an AA meeting. Can’t I just go there? I only had a couple of drinks. I don’t
know why the judge was such a jerk.”
Clients with addictive disorders may present for therapy for various reasons. Some, like
Mr. Smith, attend because it is court mandated. Some attend because family or friends
have pushed them to do so, while others may attend because life has become
unmanageable. Regardless of clients’ reasons for presenting for therapy, to reach these
clients and effectively treat them, you must be able to break down barriers, establish
relationships, and help them see the benefits of this therapeutic approach.
This week, you explore psychotherapeutic approaches to group therapy for addiction.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and
standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Standard 6 “Evaluation” (pages 65-66)
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Gamble, J., & O’ Lawrence, H. (2016). An overview of the efficacy of the 12-step group
therapy for substance abuse treatment. Journal of Health & Human Services
Administration, 39(1), 142-160.
Kim, J. W., Choi, Y. S., Shin, K. C., Kim, O. H., Lee, D. Y., Jung, M. H., … Choi, I. (2012).
The effectiveness of continuing group psychotherapy for outpatients with alcohol
dependence: 77-month outcomes. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 36(4),
686–692. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01643.x
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-
to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.
Chapter 16, “Psychotherapeutic Approaches for Addictions and Related Disorders”
(pp. 565–596)
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.).
New York, NY: Basic Books.
Chapter 13, “Problem Group Members” (pp. 391–427)
Document: Group Therapy Progress Note
Required Media
Allyn & Bacon (Producer). (2000). Motivational interviewing [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA:
Psychotherapy.net.
The approximate length of this media pice is 102 minutes.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013d). Levy family: Sessions 1-7 [Video file]. Baltimore,
MD; Author.
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Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2015). Group therapy for addictions: An interpersonal
relapse prevention approach [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.
Optional Resources
Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2000a). Cognitive therapy for addictions [Video file]. Mill
Valley, CA: Author.