WVU :: School of Medicine :: Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry

Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry

Addiction Groups

Persons who have established a program of abstinence benefit from a group model of working on issues common to those in the early phase of recovery. Various groups are available to persons who have completed some form of early treatment: inpatient or IOP.

Men's Group
This weekly group is available to men who wish to explore common issues such as relationships, feelings, father/son issues, violence, and dating.
Group leader: Bob Edmundson
Tuesday 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Women's Recovery Group
Overview:
There is evidence that substance abuse and dependence is a growing health problem among women, yet women are less likely to seek treatment and are under represented in most substance abuse programs. For women, there are gender specific issues in the history, biological response and course of their substance abuse disorders. Women who are addicted to substances are more likely to have co-occurring psychiatric disorders, have a history of abuse and experience reproductive health issues. Typically, women also have gender based triggers and coping styles. For these reasons and others there is evidence to suggest that treatment outcomes for women improve when treated in an all women’s group. In addition, this is often women’s preference.

Objectives:
The major objectives of the group are to promote abstinence from all substances including alcohol, to help with skills and strategies to prevent relapse and promote recovery, and to provide women with clean and sober social support.

Schedule:
This group meets weekly and is open-ended.
Group leader: Laura Lander
Wednesday 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Adult Children of Alcoholics
A twelve session group for individuals who grew up in alcoholic and/or dysfunctional families. This group explores issues such as feelings, trust, shame, boundaries, anger and relationship problems. Weekly readings with a topical focus are utilized.
Group leaders: Mimmie Byrne and Bob Edmundson
Thursday 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Adolescent Treatment
Individual and family therapy is available for adolescents who have substance abuse issues. A combination of motivational enhancement, cognitive behavioral and education approaches is used. Groups may also be available.
Group Leader: Janie Howsare
Monday 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM