This established and effective training was created by Phil Harris, who subsequently wrote ‘The Concerned Other’ book to accompany PACT. Within our GDAFS Team we have members who were part of the original pioneering design and feature in the forward of the book, under: ‘The North Gwent Team’.
PACT is a behaviour orientated, skills-based, modular training program, using worksheets which can be tailor made to the unique circumstances of the Concerned Other, the underpinning pillars are:
- To help Loved Ones into treatment, to assist alcohol/substance users to engage with Gwent Drug & Alcohol Service (GDAS)
- Support loved ones in treatment, for those loved ones already with GDAS, to support them through their journey.
- Reduce the stress and pressure that the Concerned Other experiences, it is often the case that the Concerned Other is at the end of their tether, and needs support to self-care again, whilst having the safe space to be able to talk about their unique situation.
- Improve the quality of life for the Concerned Other, self-neglect is often a feature of the Concerned Others life, they become so focussed on their Loved One, they forget about themselves. Sometimes, we see the following examples: Forgetting to eat, missing medical appointment or financially not be able to manage daily living expenses, to name but a few. The Concerned Other will begin to address such issues, as they work through the training, with the aim of understanding they are important too, and deserve to have a quality of life themselves, irrespective of their Loved One and their problematic behaviour with alcohol and/or drugs.
We know from experience that when we offer our Loved Ones, ‘Competing Rewards’ & ‘Reduce Conflict’, it can offset the benefits of ‘why’ they use, as the ‘positive reinforcers’ e.g. increasing confidence levels for using, and offset the ‘negative reinforcers’, e.g. reducing their stress levels. On the other hand, there will be consequences of using alcohol and/or substances, so by ‘Disabling Enabling Behavoiurs’ and ‘Withdrawing Without Conflict’, we can learn to manage the positive punishers e.g. relationship breakdowns or the negative punishers, e.g. Missing out of quality family life.
***The programme can be done on a one-to-one basis or within a group setting. Any literacy issues are not a hinderance in doing this training, as you will be supported throughout.
