Anger management techniques for substance abuse and mental health treatment clients

Anger Management Program for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Clients

Anger Control Plans

Timeouts: This is one elementary technique for anger management, which must figure in everybody's plans for anger control. This strategy may be utilized informally or formally. In its most basic form, timeout entails deep breathing for a while, followed by thinking rather than reacting. It can also imply leaving the anger-escalating setting or merely ceasing the anger-provoking discussion. Formally, timeouts incorporate one's relationships with others, i.e., family members, colleagues, and pals. Formally employing this technique entails having some prearranged plan or agreement, through which any involved party is able to request a timeout; every concerned party needs to agree to this in advance. If required, the individual demanding the timeout may leave the setting for a while, but must agree to return and finish or postpone the discussion for a later time, based on whether the involved parties believe they will be able to successfully solve the problem or not (Reilly, Shopshire, Durazzo, & Campbell, 2008). Timeouts work well when employed in combination with other tactics, too:

1. Take an informal or formal timeout

1. Talk to somebody you trust, i.e., a friend

1. Adopt Conflict Resolution Model for expressing anger

1. Go on a walk or for a workout at the gym, or do any other exercise

1. Examine the underlying feelings responsible for one's anger

Assertiveness Training for Angry Clients

Under the anger symptom control strategy, clients must be made aware of how assertiveness differs from anger. The former represents a mode of expressing one's views, feelings, needs, and wants, frankly and truthfully, without being rude or hostile. Further, assertiveness allows the client greater control and choice in life, while reducing the negative emotions they experience at present, due to aggressiveness (Marsh, Dale, & Willis, 2007 ).

Assertive Responses: For being assertive, a person needs to explain to others how they are feeling, without laying the blame on others. It is helpful to let clients know that they can make "observer" remarks (i.e., remark on behaviour), prior to expressing how they feel about it ("I" remarks) (Marsh, Dale, & Willis, 2007 ).

Example

Handling Criticism:

Bob hasn't used any illegal drugs in the previous year. However, his friend continues to call him a junkie.

• An aggressive response would be telling the friend to "get lost" or to just get over his behaviour.

• An assertive response would go along the following lines: "I can understand that my past behaviour has angered you. However, I would appreciate if you accepted the fact that I have successfully given it up. When you speak of my past behaviour as though it were ongoing, it makes me feel unsupported and hurt." (Marsh, Dale, & Willis, 2007 )

Aggression Cycle:

Clients ought to be taught about this "aggression cycle." They must be made to practice progressive relaxation of muscles. The cycle is an integrative approach incorporating the following concepts: anger meter, anger cues, and anger control strategy (Reilly, Shopshire, Durazzo, & Campbell, 2008).

Cognitive Restructuring:

The A-B-C-D anger management model is a type of cognitive reformation. Clients are taught to stop thoughts, as well, as an alternative strategy to the above model. Under the A-B-C-D plan, "A" represents any activating (i.e., red-flag) situation or event. "B" denotes one's beliefs concerning "A." The events by themselves aren't responsible for eliciting feelings like anger; rather, anger arises from our beliefs and interpretations associated with the events. Further, "C" refers to emotional consequences, or feelings resulting from the beliefs and interpretations with regard to the event. Lastly, "D" denotes dispute, and entails the identification of irrational beliefs as well as disputing these beliefs with more practical or rational ways of viewing "A." The objective is replacement of self-statements resulting in, or escalating, anger and aggression, with ideas, which enable one to interpret the event more accurately and realistically (Reilly, Shopshire, Durazzo, & Campbell, 2008).