Aftercare/relapse prevention and the self-help movement (1991)

FRANÇAIS :
Tentative d'élaboration d'un modèle théorique de groupes d'entr'aide pour le suivi du traitement des patients maintenus sous méthadone, centré sur la réadaptation sociale. Premier essai d'application d'une telle méthode en clinique. Discussion sur les similitudes et les différences par rapport aux thérapies de groupe classiques. Les auteurs estiment que l'association de multiples techniques d'aide ne peut être que bénéfique à plusieurs titres, malgré les difficultés de mise en place.
ENGLISH :
This paper presents the background and initial experiences of a treatment evaluation involving self-help techniques and principles as a means of providing aftercare services for stabilized methadone maintenance patients. It describes the Clinically Guided Self-Help (CGSH) model, which focuses on community reintegration and places emphasis on social network components following a period of primary treatment and demonstrated client stability. From our experiences, we have identified needs and issues that are of concern to stabilized clients, and we have distilled a paradigm for responding to these in a self-help group format. The model permits clients to establish their own agenda of interests and, guidedby staff, to engage in a process geared toward maximum participation on their part. The model is clinically based in that staff and participants are engaged in working on present adjustment concerns. The overall goal of the investigators is to generate the prerequisite skills for successful adaptation of self-help concepts and techniques to the particular needs and interests of individual methadone maintenance programs and clients.