Mel Medura to commence Support Group Therapy For Alcohol Use Disorder
The Sumithrayo Drug Demand Reduction Program (Mel Medura) has been in the forefront of supporting people struggling with all types of addictions since 1986. Realizing the benefits of group support, Mel Medura is now courageously moving into facilitating Support Group Sessions for those struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder (Problem drinking that becomes severe is given the medical diagnosis of “alcohol use disorder” or AUD).
This free service will include eight sessions for each group which will be facilitated by trained Mel Medura Key-Workers. Those interested will have to request for a registration form which needs to be filled and handed over for evaluation before acceptance to a group.
Jomo Uduman, the Honorary Director of Mel Medura explained that, “people with AUD generally blame outside forces for their situation. Everything is someone else’s fault. If their job is at stake it’s because their boss is picking on them. If their marriage is cracking up their spouse is unreasonable. If they fail as parents they will see their children as ungrateful. Everything and everyone becomes a reason to drink. A person with this disorder who is spiraling may even say that they don’t wish to drink but circumstances like their employment/spouse/kids force them to”.
Important Topics that will be discussed in the support group sessions include Family relationships and peer pressure, cultural and social influences, health and wellbeing, financial management, maintaining relationships, Handling of responsibilities in family and work place, thoughts, feelings and emotion handling, time management, Handling withdrawal symptoms, preventing and addressing relapses.
Alcohol Use Disorder affects relationships and push people into increased isolation. In such a group experience, the clients meet other individuals who have faced similar problems. So they realize that they are not alone in life and will feel tremendous satisfaction with this connection. They may also feel that their pain is not exclusive or unique and the fact that others with similar problems are willing to connect and support them can be also profoundly healing. This helps them to move beyond their isolation, and it gives further energy to hope, which helps to fuel the process of change.
Most people seek help feeling defeated by life and overwhelmed by their failure to control their use of alcohol. They feel they have nowhere to go and no possibility for a better outcome in life. When such individuals join a group of people struggling with similar problems, they have the opportunity of witnessing change in others while at the same time having their own small victories acknowledged and celebrated by group members. Through this process, hope begins to emerge which helps these individuals to build motivation; manage cravings, emotions, and behaviors; and bring restoration and balance back to life in mind, body, and spirit.
“No one ever plans to become addicted. There are countless reasons why someone would try a substance or behavior. Some are driven by curiosity and peer pressure, while others are looking for a way to relieve stress. Children who grow up in environments where drugs and alcohol are present have a greater risk of developing a substance abuse disorder down the road. The truth is, there’s no single face of addiction. Anyone can develop patterns of abuse or risky behaviors, no matter their age, culture or financial status,” Uduman explained.
In 2004 Sumithrayo shift its in-house rehab to day-care which has since proved to be more successful during recovery and in preventing relapse.
A deeper understanding of AUD has been revolutionized by scientific breakthroughs. Addiction was once viewed as a moral failing or character flaw. Today it is recognized as a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. Just as cardiovascular disease damages the heart and diabetes impairs the pancreas, addiction hijacks the brain. This happens as the brain goes through a series of changes, beginning with recognition of pleasure and ending with a drive toward compulsive behavior. AUD exerts a powerful influence on the brain that manifests in three distinct ways: craving for the object of addiction, loss of control over its use, and continuing involvement with it despite adverse consequences.
Addiction is not an inevitable result of substance use but depends on other factors too. A person’s genetic makeup and other biological factors; the age of first use; psychological factors related to that person’s personality; and environmental factors, such as availability, family and peer dynamics, financial resources, cultural norms, exposure to stress, and access to social support. Some of these factors increase risk for addiction, while other factors provide buffers against those risks. The speed of progression is different for each individual, and some fall deeper into the addiction before deciding to get help.
For more information contact, Mel Medura: 60, Horton Place, Colombo 07, phone: 11 2693 460 | 11 2694 665 or email: melmedura@sltnet.lk
