GROUP DESIGN PAPER Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

GROUP DESIGN PAPER - Essay Example Although motivational interviewing is commonly associated with substance abuse problems, it has also found varied applicability in clinical problems such as psychosis and other severe mental disorders. Clinical practitioners have reported that â€Å"the principles of motivational interviewing have broad applicability for addressing problematic behaviors (including substance abuse and non-adherence to treatment recommendations) that interfere with clients with dual disorders in achieving their personal goals† (Mueser, Noordsy & Drake, 2003, p. 108). It is in light of the issues presented above that I have chosen individuals who have dual disorders – substance abuse and mental disorders – as the treatment population for designing a motivational interviewing group therapy. Many chronic drug abusers, or commonly referred to as addicts, often simultaneously suffer from serious mental disorders. Substance abuse treatment and medical professionals call this condition co-occurring disorder or having dual diagnosis. While doing internship at 26th in California, a court and jail facility, most of the clients have been mandated to attend treatment for substances abuse. While helping clients with substance abuse problems, the court system has no provisions for assistance of co-occurring mental disorders. According to the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV), most individuals who have substance abuse problems also have mental disorders as well. Neglecting these mental disorders is not only detrimental to the patient but will further feed the cycle of violence and crime. I believe that treatment of both the substance abuse and mental problems is the most effective way of decreasing crime rate which is the ultimate goal of our judicial system. The succeeding sections of the paper will discuss the treatment population and the group therapy design for motivational interviewing. As previously discussed, the target population for