Marathon Groups: Counseling the Imprisoned Drug Abuser

Abstract

This article describes how marathon group therapy can contribute to the rehabilitation of imprisoned drug abusers. Nine 16-hour marathon groups were facilitated with female drug abusers at a woman's prison. One purpose of these groups was to facilitate the discussion of the personal problems of the group members. A second purpose was to enable the participants to receive feedback about how they related to each other in the group. The manner in which these groups were facilitated is described. Member evaluations of these groups are included. Other settings in which these groups can be used with drug abusers are suggested.