Noble Eightfold Path and Yoga (NEPY): A Group for Women Experiencing Substance Use Challenges

Abstract

This article describes the structure and methodology of a group created for women living with substance use challenges. The group was held at a community-based addictions services agency and combined physical activity (hatha yoga) with meditation and planned topics for self-reflection. Group work practice, in many forms, has been used successfully for decades as a helping modality for addictions issues, but the implementation of this innovative, insight-based approach is untried. Offered weekly for 10 weeks, the group was well attended with regular members. Limited qualitative feedback indicating satisfaction and beneficial impacts was gathered during the final group meeting.

Keywords:

• addiction
• chemical dependence
• spirituality
• social justice
• social work with groups

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author also wishes to acknowledge Ellen Comer, BSW, for assisting with group by demonstrating yoga postures when pregnancy prohibited Arielle from doing so.