the new behavior(s) have begun so they can be prepared for those changes. Questions similar to

the following can be used to facilitate self-liberation:

Is this what you want to do? Are you prepared for the risks involved?

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What are your reasons for changing your behavior?

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When do you want to make your change?

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What problems do you think you may face in the future?

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Whom have you discussed this with?

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How do you feel the environment is going to affect your change?

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Are there any support groups you could join in the area? Would you like to join any?

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Group therapy strategies

The gains made in individual treatment can be consolidated in well-designed and well-facilitated

group therapy. Consciousness-raising techniques may help when talking with a client who seems

to lack basic information about behaviors or topics, such as HIV transmission. Questions such as

the following can determine how much consciousness raising is needed:

What are your concerns about HIV/AIDS?



What do you think about "cleaning your works" in order to protect yourself?

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Dramatic relief strategies can be used when talking with a client who knows something about

topics like HIV/AIDS but still engages in unsafe behavior. Questions such as the following are

helpful in determining the level of dramatic relief strategies:

Do you feel you are at risk for HIV/AIDS?



Do you worry about getting an STD?

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Group therapy also can be used to present role models (peers) who have successfully addressed

many of the issues clients in inpatient treatment may face. Peer programs can provide support for

substance recovery and other psychosocial services. There are many resources in the community

for these interventions; all a program must provide is a meeting place. It is helpful if the peer

group facilitator has some training, even if this consists solely of the orientation that all

substance abuse treatment program volunteers receive. Because they are not led by professionals,

peer groups may be limited in what they can achieve. However, the absence of professional

involvement may give peer groups greater credibility with hard-to-reach clients.

Self-reevaluation (or self-reflection) and environmental reevaluation are good activitiesto use in

group settings during inpatient treatment when clients might be motivated to change behavior.

Self-reevaluation occurs when clients think about their behavior, and environmental reevaluation

occurs when they think about the impact of their behavior on others. A counselor can initiate

self-reevaluation by asking questions such as the following:

How would you feel about bleaching all the time?

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Are there times you are willing to take risks by not using a condom? Why or why not?

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