C2 (Treatment Of Addiction And Stress): Skills Training

Question 1

What is Skills Training?

Answer 1

Definition: A therapy to help individuals manage stress and addiction by learning new behavioral skills.
Goal: Teach clients how to handle high-risk situations and improve their communication and self-control.
Focus Areas:
Assertiveness
Anger management
Social skills

Question 2

Types of Skills Training

Answer 2

1️⃣ Assertiveness Training

                               Focus
   Helps clients handle conflicts without  aggression or avoidance.

Why Important:
Reduces the chance of turning to harmful coping mechanisms like drugs or gambling.
Helps clients express themselves confidently.

2️⃣ Anger Management

                                      Focus
         Helps clients manage emotions in stressful situations.

Why Important:
Prevents emotional outbursts.
Encourages constructive ways to handle anger (e.g., creative activities).

3️⃣ Social Skills Training (SST)

                                    Focus
                   Helps clients improve their communication skills to reduce anxiety in social settings.

Skills Taught:
- Verbal communication (tone of voice).
- Non-verbal communication (eye contact).

              Example Situations:
 - Refusing alcohol or drugs at parties.
  - Handling conversations confidently without stress.

Question 3

Skills Training Techniques

Answer 3

1️⃣ Group Discussion

Clients share experiences, discuss high-risk situations, and learn from each other.

2️⃣ Modelling and Role Play

Therapist’s Role:
Demonstrates skills for clients to imitate (e.g., refusing a drink).
Provides feedback to help clients improve.

3️⃣ Homework Tasks

Clients practice skills in real-life situations.
Gradually move to more challenging tasks over time.

4️⃣ Visualization

Clients mentally rehearse a situation before acting it out (e.g., saying “no” to a cigarette).

Question 4

Strength of Skills Training

Answer 4

Long-Term Effectiveness
– Skills remain useful even after training ends.

Explain:
Study by Toninato (2016) showed participants reduced gambling behavior after training.
Skills are future-focused, helping clients in high-risk situations.

Link: Skills training can prevent addiction relapses and improve self-control.

Question 5

Weakness of Skills Training

Answer 5

Role of Cognitive Factors– Skills training doesn’t address underlying thoughts.

Explain:
Stress and addiction often involve irrational beliefs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) might be more effective for deeper issues.

Link: Skills training works best when combined with cognitive therapies like CBT.