Development of Support Groups for ARC-Diagnosed Clients at Daytop Village (From AIDS and IV Drug Abusers: Current Perspectives, P 165-173, 1988, Robert P Galea, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-112198)

• NCJ Number: 112213
• Author(s): R Robak; J E Caffrey
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted, with changes, from a presentation on 'The Development of Support Groups for ARC-Diagnosed Clients at Daytop Village,' by Ross Robak and Joseph E. Caffrey, by permission of the authors. Presented at the Annual Conference of the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities, Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Annotation

This article describes a support group for AIDS-related complex (ARC) patients initiated by Daytop Village and the conceptual model used in this group for acceptance of death.

Abstract

Daytop Village, a long-term residential therapeutic community, initiated the development of a support group for recovering addicts suffering from ARC. Goals of this group included emotional support and the development of an educational forum to share medical and health-related information. Therapists leading the group used a conceptual model developed by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book 'On Death and Dying.' This model outlines a series of emotional stages through which a dying person passes: denial, isolation and withdrawal, anger, depression, and finally, acceptance. However, the ambiguities of ARC, such as the uncertainty of actual development of AIDS, necessitates some alteration of the model. The revision is as follows: denial, isolation, anger, anxiety, activation and depression. Discussions in the group centered on reasons members gave for living and what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. The enhancement of self-esteem is a major goal in the therapeutic community and is achieved by community recognition for positive attainments in the course of treatment. Issues for group members include feelings of isolation, withdrawal, and the need for physical contact and sexual relationships. A case study is presented. 8 references.