Treatment Philosophy. The Pierpoint Group works from an abstinent-based philosophy so that each person may reach a clearer understanding of their addiction. We believe that people who have a life-threatening relationship to alcohol and/or other drugs need a lengthy period of time totally substance-free in order to make a clearer assessment of their lifestyle.
The Pierpoint Group treatment program works from a modified 12 step approach working with the basic principles of traditional 12 step philosophy, particularly those of self development and self awareness, believing that abstinence can only be achieved long-term, when these personal resources have become ‘in-built’ into the developing lifestyle. The ‘modified’ aspect is the presentation of specific groups and lectures in a particularly unique and ‘user friendly’ framework.
The lengths that people go to in order to feed their dependency or addiction inevitably creates pain in their own life but also in the lives of people around them. Steps 1-5 support the client in looking honestly at their substance abuse, the loss of control of behaviour and the stretching of personal moral boundaries.
In this exploration they begin to see the need for change should they wish to avoid the chaos and self destruction their old lifestyle and choices create. They begin to be open minded to the possibility of being with people who have encountered similar circumstances, encourages them to seek support from other and to consider other points of view. There is the development of trust in the process of learning from life circumstances which assists individuals to place themselves in a process of self-discovery rather than viewing themselves as a ‘victim’ to random influences. Building a trust in ‘life as the ultimate teacher’ is seen as a very important part of this modified 12-step program.
In Step 1 – Treatment Philosophy
The client’s denial network is dismantled through of series of one to one and group therapy interventions. Denial is an automatic psychological defence mechanism that the client utilises to allow their using to continue. When in denial, clients are unable to admit ‘complete defeat’ i.e. loss of control over mood-altering chemicals as their perception of reality is affected by delusional thinking, attaching blame and justifications for their actions and minimising the true costs of addiction to themselves, others and society as a whole. Subsequently, denial also prevents clients making an emotional connection with consequences created throughout addiction. Only when denial is dismantled can clients admit to the reality of their addiction, i.e. loss of control. This loss of control is evidenced by the desperate lengths clients have gone to in order to continue using at all costs and the destructive attitudes and behaviours employed in order to continue using.
Steps 2 and 3
These steps help clients to work on and develop an understanding of a possible solution to their problems through a spiritual dimension. Through being open-minded and appreciative of new ways of relating to people, places and situations, clients also learn to trust and develop coping strategies to process healthily the thoughts and emotions arising from Step 1. Steps 2 and 3 enable clients to move forward in their recovery by developing new attitudes and behaviour’s, rather than remaining closed minded and stuck in old attitudes and behaviours which have resulted in a continuation of use of mood-altering chemicals, self-destruction and harms to others. Clients will complete an assignment on each step and are expected to apply the relevant principles throughout their daily interactions.
Step 4 – Treatment Philosophy
The client is involved in a process of self discovery by exploring and their personal characteristics and emotional drives that have manifested in previous attitudes and behaviours that underpin addictions. Step4 is also a rigorously honest self appraisal where clients start to develop an increasingly solid awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses.
Step 5
To assist in the reduction of shame regarding these events they share these experiences with another human being independent of the treatment centre. This is done in a confidential atmosphere of acceptance and non-judgement with the listener offering support through identification. This is known as step 5.
Steps 6 & 7
After step 5 the client has completed primary treatment and may then seek the opportunity for admission to secondary treatment. At this point clients begin to look at steps 6 and 7 where they begin a parallel process of letting go of the unhealthy personal characteristics’ and destructive emotional drives identified in steps 4 and 5, whilst nurturing healthy and constructive personal characteristics and emotional drives. In essence, Steps 6 and 7 are a process of self expression.
Steps 8 & 9
Steps 8 and 9 focus on unresolved guilt and the development of self acceptance and self-forgiveness. There is the ongoing development of a spiritual dimension, based on each individual’s personal belief system, essentially developing a sense of worth and purpose to life. At its core, there is a message of ‘giving, receiving, and sharing’, as a foundation to live by. It engages the client in a cycle of positive growth, building self-esteem, and self-awareness enabling the individual to build healthy relationships with themselves, and other people and the world around them.
Steps 10 – 12 – Treatment Philosophy
Steps 10 -12 maintain this new way of life, where the focus is the ongoing development of emotional and spiritual wellbeing, resulting in self actualisation and the emergence of life purpose defined by the clients new found principles and value system.
Take your first step into recovery today, but contacting our friendly admissions team for more advice and information about recovery. Call tel: 07811 606 606 (24 hours)