The Hills Clinic Addictions Step Down Program 

Duration: 10 weeks (open group)

Suits: People who are now abstinent and recovering from drug, alcohol or gambling addiction

Goal: To increase one’s sense of control over their addiction and their life.

Overview:  Our addictions program is based on the SMART recovery framework which focuses on:

• Building and Maintaining Motivation
• Coping with Urges
• Problem Solving
• Lifestyle Balance

When: Thursdays and runs from 12:00 pm -2:30pm  with light refreshments included.

Cognitive Behavioural Framework

Similar to other cognitive behavioural approaches, this program is based on social learning principles. It conceptualises the client’s drug taking behaviours as learned maladaptive coping strategies related to major difficulties in their lives. People with addictive behaviours often present with co-morbid mental health issues, a fragile and unstable sense of self, health problems, and chaos in their relationships due to their substance use/gambling/impulsive behaviour.

The aim of treatment is to overcome these deficits through skills training in identified areas. Skills are built through examining underlying beliefs and thoughts and teaching specific cognitive and behavioural techniques for managing difficult situations. Skills building attempts to reduce the pressure/ stress on the client and increase the client’s sense of control over their addiction and their life.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation is a core part of our treatment program, and underlies the application of most skills and strategies. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of mindfulness practice in reducing impulsiveness, improving concentration and attention, reducing stress and improving immune function. Most importantly, for people with addiction, mindfulness has the quality of helping to notice thoughts and urges without reacting to them in destructive ways (such as substance abuse).

Interpersonal approach

By the time individuals reach substance abuse treatment, their relationships are generally in turmoil. Our program aims at teaching clients interpersonal skills to manage triggers and reduce stress.

Building and repairing relationships is an important part of this treatment program, and exploration of clients attachment style and ways of relating in the groups are focused upon to increase insight and awareness and allow the development of new interpersonal skills. Group programs also provide an excellent environment for participants to practice interpersonal skills and different ways of relating to others.

Respect for the client

An empathic/ non-judgmental attitude is held by the therapist in order to foster engagement and establish a working therapeutic relationship in which the client feels respected and understood. The clinician communicates respect for the client, and supports the person’s self-worth and sense of competence. Strategies used to foster an empathic, respectful approach include reflective listening, a focus on the client’s perception of issues, and a collaborative approach to counselling.

Strengths based approach

The program takes a strengths-based approach by reinforcing and building upon client’s strengths and resources for change. This is facilitated by assisting clients to recall past successful strategies at coping with difficult situations, and commenting on the client’s strengths and successes.

Motivational Approach

Clinicians utilise general strategies that enhance motivation for behavioural change. These include:

• Pointing out client’s self responsibility for actions - “This is really for you to decide. Nobody can make that decision for you.”
• Eliciting motivational statements - “What made you realise that you had a problem? How do you know you are ready for taking this step?”
• Exploring ambivalences –  “Your drug use worked for you as a way of avoiding conflict in your relationship, but it makes you both extremely uncomfortable.”
• Rolling with resistance - “You want to continue drinking because it relaxes you.”