Challenging Stereotypes in Treatment of the Homeless
Alcoholic and Addict: Creating Freedom Through Structure in Large Groups
This paper presents and challenges stereotypical behaviors which influence the
treatment of the addicted and alcoholic population. It also examines moderate
substance abuse treatment and group work literature that influence the structure,
process, and leader role of a group. In addition, it examines related empowerment
issues in reference to autonomy-paternalism dilema. (Goldberg 79).
Practitioners rely on social literature that may promote stereotypes which may
characterize the homeless addict and alcoholic as disaffiliated, untrusting,
sociopathic, demoralized, and defiant. This literature and the way in which it is
interpretated by the media may affect practitioners, stimulating independent
paternalism dilema. (Goldberg 81-82). Case studies may also cause dilema. For
example, a reader may make an inapropriate generalization: that all street people
are alcoholics or addicts which is just not true. Therefore, causing a dilema.for the
worker and the client. (Suppes 337).
Social group work and addictions treatment can become a problem as the
homeless population increases and more people enter into substance abuse
counseling. Therefore, modifying each group size to smaller people who share
similiar problems, and no role leader, can enable the client to feel more
comfortable about sharing feelings that may not have been possible in a group
“formal” leadership. (Goldberg 85). Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics
Anonymous is a popular group therapy for substance abuse clients. Experience has
shown that the groups offer many advantages. For example, self-awareness is
encouraged and the denial of one’s addiction is less possible in a group with other
recovering alcoholics and addicts. Also, the experiences of the members are quite
similiar in principle. Social workers and other professionals currently recognize
how valuable self-help groups can be for specific clients. Therefore, referring
clients in addition to current professional treatment. (Suppes 344).
Clients may be empowered and controlled through structure. This can be risky
in a group that has maintained a lifestyle of mistrust and betrayal. Therefore,
approaching with a positive attitude and available opportunities help in the
treatment of the homeless addicts and alcoholics. (Goldberg 85). In addition,
forming a group of people with the same issues, who can understand and help one
another in ways which a professional may not be able to, can be beneficial. This
doesn’t mean that society is to be abandoned. It means society needs to recognize
that the environment in which the alcoholic or addict exists may not meet their
needs. Therefore, enhancing opportunities in the environment which are available
can benefit all involved. (Suppes 345).
In closing, the sterotypes which influence treatment of the addicted and
alcoholic homeless population are a challenge. When groups became to large, the
small group approach was used to work with addicts and alcoholics. Through
structure, we relinquish empowered clients.
Bibliography
Galinsky, Maeda J., and Janice H. Schopler. Soial Work With Groups 1995:
18. New York: The Haworth Press, Inc. 1995.
Goldberg, Elisa Valladares, and Thomas Simpson. “Challenging Stereotypes in
Treatment of the Homeless Alcoholic and Addict: Creating Freedom Through
Structure in Large Groups.” Social Work With Groups 18 (1995): 70-90.
Suppes, Mary Ann, and Carolyn Cressy Wells. The Social Work Experience: An
Introduction to the Profession and Its Relationship to Social Welfare Policy.
2nd ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 1991.
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