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. 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.
“No one ever plans to become addicted. There are countless reasons why someone would try a substance or behaviour. 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.