Self-Help Meetings - Essay Example

Self-Help Meetings and Treatment Evaluation al Affiliation) Introduction The corpus of peer support approach is usually applied when a group of people come together to contribute knowledge as well as emotional support to other people who are experiencing certain challenges. This is usually performed in different environments ranging from clinical environments to other external environments (Doweiko 1996). Peer programs are usually undertaken by people specifically trained or persons who possess knowledge and skills on how to handle issues ascribed to emotional and behavioral issues. In addition, peer support programs usually require skills like; proper listening skills, communication and information interpretation skills. The concept of peer support is different from other facets of social support owing to the fact that the stakeholders involved are persons undergoing the same problem. It can also be facilitated by persons, who have undergone the same problem in the past or even persons who are still recovering from past addictions. This is an important aspect of peer support program given that fact that it ensures that there is a harmonious relationship between the peers themselves. There are various theories that have been provided to give explanations and support peer support programs as fundamental clinical processes. These theories include; the Helper-therapy principle; experimental knowledge as well as social comparison, which are psycho-social processes that created a platform for the peer support programs (Pearson et al 2012). This discussion will focus on the comparison and provision of contrast between the various aspects of peer support programs. It will also provide a report in regard to the student’s assessment of peer support meeting that was recently attended. Peer Support Programs There are various models of peer support programs such as; the Cognitive-behavioral model, 12-step facilitation program, motivational, matrix model, therapeutic model as well as the model of community reinforcement together with contingency management (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books n.d). These modes of peer support programs usually exhibit aspects of similarities and differences as discussed below. Comparison of Peer Support Programs The first most commonly used peer program approach is the 12-step facilitation dimension; this method is imperative as it allows peers to comprehend and apply the Alcoholic Anonymous Principles (San & Martinez 2007). This is achieved through a process of 12-steps in order to achieve complete abstinence and get engaged in various community twelve-based distinct teams. This specific method of peer support program is similar to the cognitive behavioral approach that has a similar recovery process. The cognitive behavioral peer review approach also focuses on facilitating the understanding of affecting persons; hence improving their skills to deal with and abstain from drug use. The two peer review support programs have also exhibited similarities in relation to their efficacy when it comes to handling clients from different backgrounds. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral support programs are quite effective in the process of handling affected persons from different backgrounds with history of drug as well as alcohol abuse (Wormer & Davis 2008). Similarly, the 12 step peer review approach has also been cited as one of the most effect strategy of providing solutions to clients from different cultural and social backgrounds. Another peer review approach that has exhibited a great sense of similarity with the 12 step and the cognitive behavioral peer review approach is the motivational approach. This peer review program basically focuses on motivational interviewing where; clients are interviewed by a counselor, who shows empathy and psychologically encourages his/her clients to set different goals that would change their ideals in regard to drug and alcohol abuse. Moreover, the motivational approach also focuses on scenarios where clients are examined and their strengths identified thereby creating a platform for developing their skills to facilitate change (Bond et al 2012). One aspect of similarity that has been exhibited by this approach and the two approaches is that; it focuses on attaining goals just like the other two approaches, whose ultimate goals are to attain maximum drug abstinence. In addition, just like 12-step and cognitive behavioral approach, it is usually geared towards understanding of various issues among the clients i.e. making the clients to understand their weaknesses and strengths in relation to abstinence from drug and alcohol abuse. There is also the Therapeutic Community Approach that has been used for over a decade to facilitate the provision of residential drug and substance abuse to affected persons. It has also depicted certain aspects of similarities to the 12-step, cognitive approach and motivational approach (San & Martinez 2007). The first similarity occurs on its process of treatment where staff and fellow peers occur as role models during the treatment process. This mode of treatment is also evident in motivational and 12-step approach. Additionally, the Therapeutic Community Approach facilitates a great sense of understanding between the peers and their staff in regard to issues ascribed to abstinence from drug abuse: This is also evident in the other three models. Awareness also forms the basis of the Therapeutic Community approach hence enhancing its efficacy; the sense of awareness is also evident in the 12-step and cognitive behavioral approach, where client are made aware of their strengths and weakness as well as various ways of abstaining from drug use; thus, improving the efficacy of these models. In the early 1980’s, the Matrix model was developed to facilitate the process of treating people, who depended on stimulating drugs such as cocaine et cetera. This model entails the use of treatment processes that exhibit similarities with other models such as; cognitive behavioral model, 12-step model as well as motivational peer support approach. To begin with, it entails a scenario where a counselor engages his/her clients in learning activities such as; time management and ways of leading an orderly as well as a healthy daily lifestyle. Teaching as a treatment process is also applicable in motivational peer support model. The efficacy of this model relies on the relationship between the peer and his/her counselor or even between peers themselves. Effective and harmonious peer-counselor relationship also forms the basis of the efficiency of the 12-step, cognitive behavioral approach and motivational approach. Differences Exhibited by the Peer Support Approaches Despite the fact that these peer support approaches have shown greater sense of similarities in regard to their effectiveness and modes of treatment, there are also certain aspects of differences that occur (Doweiko 1996). To begin with, these methods of peer support approaches have varying modes of treatment from one another for instance: The 12-step peer support approach entails a scenario where the peers are exposed to a mandatory 12-step process of peer fellowship i.e. attending Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and others. On the other hand, cognitive behavioral approaches focuses on teaching clients on new ways of dealing with their drug addiction problems, but does not compel them to undergo a 12-step peer meeting (Bond et al 2012). However, this may be encouraged in some cases in order to facilitate the efficacy of the treatment process. Moreover, motivational approach is also quite different from the 12-step approach owing to the fact that it does not rely on the 12-step peer group meetings as it required in the 12-step peer support approach. Another difference that has occurs between these peer support approaches is based on the various materials used: Cognitive behavioral approach involves the use of various manuals to facilitate the treatment process hence improving its efficacy while the use of manuals is not necessarily applicable in the 12-step or motivational peer support programs. The 12-step peer support approach may also involve meetings attended by people experiencing challenges in regard to their sexual orientation for example; gays, lesbians as well as peer programs for young women. This is a quite different approach as compared to the motivational, therapeutic community and cognitive behavioral approaches that majorly focus on treatment of people suffering from drug and substance abuse addiction. The efficacy of the Cognitive behavioral and the 12-step facilitation approach are appropriate in dealing with peers from different cultural and social backgrounds (Bond et al 2007). This is not evident in the motivational, therapeutic community as well as matrix approaches: Research has not provided substantial proof indicating the efficacy of these models in relation to treating clients from diverse backgrounds. Consequently, the range of time taken to achieve effective treatment among the peers also varies from peer support program to another. For instance; the 12-step peer support approach entails exposing clients to a twelve week of peer meeting in order to create an opportunity that enhances their capacity to deal with their drug addiction problems. On the other hand, the Cognitive behavioral peer support approach involves a scenario where clients are exposed on a four week meeting with their peers and counselors. Reflection of a Peer Meeting in an Anonymous Alcoholic The first meeting I attended was an anonymous alcoholic meeting in Greenville Christ Episcopal Church. This meeting was attended by peers from various places that had come to celebrate one of their colleagues ten years of abstinence from alcohol. The peer who had undergone ten years of sobriety elaborated various ways that enhanced his capacity to stay sober for the time. He also narrated how he was encouraged the first time he attended a peer meeting and developed hope that he could also follow a similar path. Additionally, he also cited various ways through which alcohol poses challenges to the affected persons and how it can lead to one’s demise if it is not managed at an earlier age. Observations from the Greenville Christ Episcopal Church Anonymous Alcoholic Meeting There was a harmonious relationships and greater sense of understanding among the peers. This was driven by the fact that the peers were focused towards achieving the same goal and great sense of encouragement from their fellow peers. Proper relationships is one of the most pertinent aspects of motivational and therapeutic community approach where peers are subjected to scenarios that leads to development of proper relationships between peers as well as with their counselors. It was also evident that treatment from alcohol addiction is process that takes time and personal initiative. The host who was celebrating his ten years of sobriety admitted that achieving such a goal among alcoholic addicts required personal commitment and time. It also requires hope among the peers. This aspect of getting one committed and taking time to achieve maximum abstinence is evident in the motivational peer support programs that expose clients to periods of personal commitment, characterized by development of hope among the peers that they can achieve their goals. Moreover, the meeting was attended by peers who are motivated to attain certain goals; motivation is the strength of the cognitive-behavioral approach as well as the motivational peer support approach. Narcotics Anonymous Meeting at High Hills Methodist Church This meeting was attended by peers who were in need of support to fight their narcotic addiction challenges. Some of the peers were also motivated to seek ways of recovery as well as maintaining sobriety. The members were also driven by similar goals and rules that basically guided their meeting. Some of the rules included: non-judgment towards others, respect, allocating each member adequate time to express his/her opinions and voluntary attendance. The meeting also involved narration of personal stories and struggles with narcotics from various members, specifically indicating the challenges faced and the motivation for abstinence. Observations from the Narcotic Anonymous Meeting The first aspect of the meeting that relates to peer support programs discussed earlier on is that this meeting was based on psychological encouragement among members: Peers that attended the meeting did so on a voluntary basis, majorly due to psychological and emotional encouragement from fellow peers. The aspect of encouragement is evident in motivation, cognitive behavioral approach and even the 12-step facilitation approach. Moreover, this meeting was attended by persons driven towards achieving common realistic goals; abstinence. The essence of application of goals to achieve sobriety among narcotic addicts is also applicable in the cognitive-behavioral peer support programs. Narration of personal stories, non-judgment towards other members as well as respect among peers is a mode of motivation and creation of hope among peers struggling to attain sobriety; it is also applicable in the 12-step and motivational peer support programs. Reference Bond, J. et al. (2012). Do 12-step meeting attendance trajectories over 9 years predict abstinence?. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 43(65), 30-45. Doweiko, H. E. (1996). Concepts of chemical dependency (8th ed.). Pacific Grove [u.a.: Brooks/Cole Publ. Co.. Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment.. Chapter 8. Intensive Outpatient Treatment Approaches. 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