Studies have proven that persons who abuse substances have lower response rates to handle anger efficiently, experience anger as a response more frequently than non-abusers, and have little to no control of lashing out in violent ways. Unfortunately, not being able to process anger efficiently causes substance users to turn anger inward, which creates the chance for relapse. Using your drug of choice allows you to feel temporary relief from the angry emotions and hide these feelings from the world. 

If you find yourself caught in this cycle of using to avoid hostile situations or learning how to address anger assertively, you might be relieved to hear that our Joined services Substance Abuse/Anger Management program has yielded positive results.

It is possible to learn how to process anger and express it in appropriate ways.  The PAC Program clinical services team can help you learn to address the underlying reasons why you fail to address anger in proactive or nonconfrontational ways. A structured program to address anger management will be followed in unison with your substance abuse outpatient treatment protocol.

Once a week you’ll attend a structured group process to help you develop the tools to manage anger effectively. 

Some of the Anger management group topics presented and discussed include:

• Anger-how to control anger instead of reacting to it
• Developing strategies for the expression and role of anger
• Alcohol/drugs and anger
• Exploring and acknowledging how client’s anger has been hurtful to others
• Thoughts – emotions – behaviors
• Stress reduction techniques and coping skills
• Negative thinking and self-talk
• Degrees of anger feelings
• Several lectures the of review and practice coping strategies trained to use