Team Building

Team building and the practices involved with team building, when applied properly, are an excellent method of creating cohesiveness and strengthening group dynamics for recovering adolescents who have problems with chemical dependency. Another asset of team building is that it speaks to where the adolescents are developmentally and it captures the reality of their lives. The team building analogy works well with teenagers and young adults because they intuitively can relate to it. The goal of team building is to direct the adolescent away from a dysfunctional peer group and into a healthy one. Team building is also a useful analogy for the counselor, who needs to think in terms of creating a team, rather than merely a group. The following are essential elements in creating an effective group atmosphere through the principle of team building:

Rites of Entry (Introduction)
Every new member of a team needs, at some point, to be introduced and then accepted or rejected by the existing members of the group. This should take place after a brief period of orientation. Efforts by counselors to circumvent this fundamental group process usually lead to problems. Whenever a group’s integrity is compromised - for example, by a counselor’s efforts to impose on its members who are not truly accepted - group cohesiveness suffers. New team members should be prepared in advance for their fist group meeting or rite of entry. They should be told exactly what is to be expected, and what will happen. In most cases, a careful and detailed history of involvement with chemical dependency should be presented to the group.

Ethics
The boundaries that define the limits of acceptable behavior, and which control social interactions need to outlined with the confines of the group. These should include: Punctuality, sobriety, respect, no drug glorification or aggression, and latitude for sexuality issues.

Tasks and Goals
All groups function better - and more cohesively- when they have collective tasks to work on, collective goals to achieve, and collective challenges to overcome. Group treatment works best when it’s structured. The focus of the structure can vary - here are some issues that can be considered as regular agendas for recovery based adolescent group sessions:

1. Steps - The twelve steps of AA and NA are important subjects for ongoing discussion. A single session can focus on just one step: on what it means to each member, and how they can apply to their own situation.

2. Symptoms and Effects of Chemical Dependency - All persons in treatment for substance abuse should become knowledgeable about the process of addiction: its symptoms, its physical effects, and how chemicals affect development and mental functioning.

3. Denial - The subject of denial is the prime enemy of recovery. Group members need to become “experts” in identifying denial and confronting it in each other.

4. Enabling and Codependence- How has enabling played a role in each of the group members lives? Whether through their own actions or by someone else.

5. Coping and Socializing - Problem solving and coping skills discussed amongst peers can be very helpful. Relating to other peoples problems provides insight and experience.

6. Grief and Gratitude - Being capable of expressing both grief and gratitude are a powerful antidote for shame and can be vital to recovery.


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