Types of therapy
The following therapeutic approaches offer versatile support for people undergoing short-term alcohol therapy. They promote not only physical and psychological healing, but also personal development.
From creative expression in art therapy to movement therapy to promote body awareness to intensive individual and group discussions – these therapeutic measures help to develop new perspectives and deal with challenges constructively.
Art therapy
Art therapy is used for therapeutic purposes as well as to promote and develop personality. The work is done in a group setting. We work with paint, stone, and clay.
Not only do participants develop strengths and skills through art therapy, but they also have to make decisions and deal with contradictions during the creative process, just as they would in real life. This makes them stronger and gives them a sense of achievement.
Successes confirm our actions and encourage us to explore new paths and perspectives. Art therapy therefore focuses on the experience of taking action rather than being passive. Another aspect of art therapy is the development of new leisure activities and hobbies.
Exercise therapy and relaxation
People who are dependent on alcohol use it to relieve psychological stress, physical tension, and pain. Exercise therapy options such as swimming or fitness can help patients regain body awareness and enjoyment of movement and improve their performance. Patients also learn to reduce stress through physical activity. During relaxation training, patients learn various techniques for physical and mental relaxation with the aim of improving their well-being.
Leisure activities
Discussing past leisure activities and planning future ones promotes meaningful leisure time. Joint leisure activities within the group strengthen cooperation, self-confidence, and interest in new things, among other things.
Individual, couple, and family talk therapy
Conversations are an important part of short-term alcohol therapy. In these conversations, connections between the patient's life history and the development of their addiction are explored. Possibilities for behavioral change are sought, discussed, and tested. The following topics may be the focus of individual, couple, and family conversations:
- Promoting skills
- Formulating and implementing goals
- Planning for the future
- Addiction development, dealing with addictive substances
- Developing new behaviors, opportunities for change, preventing relapses
- Planning and arranging aftercare.
The couple and family discussions also focus on the relationship climate and ways in which relatives can provide support.
Group talk therapy
In group therapy, participants have the opportunity to talk openly about their experiences in a trusting atmosphere and to support each other. Similar experiences with addictive behavior create a feeling of solidarity. The initial phase focuses on reflecting on one's own drinking behavior and becoming aware of old patterns of behavior in order to develop new solutions in a further step. In a further phase, the participants decide how they want to deal with alcohol in the future on the basis of a joint intensive discussion. On the basis of respectful relationships, confrontations among each other are very effective, suggestions are taken up, and solutions are exchanged.
Advanced therapy focuses primarily on planning for the future in terms of early detection, relapse prevention, and related support. The group offers an ideal training ground for developing new strategies for the future.
Gender-specific group talk therapy
Experiences, resources, and needs are influenced by gender, among other factors. Women consume alcohol for different reasons than men. Overwhelming and restrictive role expectations, multiple stresses, lack of influence, or experiences of violence can be some of these reasons. For men, factors such as professional and personal pressure to succeed, restrictive and overwhelming role expectations, or suppression of feelings of powerlessness can be decisive. Gender-specific group work supports women and men in their learning and development processes. It offers the opportunity to recognize and expand their understanding of roles, to perceive their own needs, and to develop and utilize resources and strengths.
Employer discussions
With the patient's consent, guided discussions can take place with the employer or supervisor. This is an important step in terms of the patient's reintegration into the work environment. The current work situation is discussed, the return to work is planned, and any reservations on the part of the employer and future dealings, including with regard to relapses and setbacks, are discussed together.
