Therapy in Addiction Recovery Treatment
Today, there are a lot of different types of therapy treatments available for people who have an addiction.
While some people choose individual therapy or family counseling, others may prefer to participate in group therapy.
Group therapy is one of the most common forms of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction because it allows people to share their experiences with others who have similar problems.
In fact, many rehab facilities offer a 12-step program based on Alcoholics Anonymous that includes group therapy as a component.
Here’s what you need to know about group therapy as part of your recovery process:
Table of Contents
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is for everyone. The people in the group may have similar issues, such as addiction, or they may be different, but all have an interest in dealing with these issues.
How many people in the group can vary between 16 to 24 depending on the type of group. You would meet with the same therapist and the same group of people on an ongoing basis. This is designed to build trust and openness, making the therapy far more effective.
In either case, they work together to find solutions and support each other through difficult times.
The person leading the group will help you understand your addiction and how it affects others around you. They’ll also guide you through discussions about how to deal with your addiction and its consequences—like failing grades at school or problems at home—so that eventually you can make healthier choices for yourself and those around you.
Some find that group therapy is more affordable and closer to real-life than individual therapy. In a group, there are far more emotions flying around and a therapist can watch their patient’s response to a real social environment rather than relying on the patient’s memories.
What Does Group Therapy Look Like in Addiction Treatment?
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy and is an effective treatment for addiction. In group therapy, you are typically led through the steps of recovery by a trained therapist who facilitates conversation between you and other recovering addicts. Group therapy sessions usually last 90 minutes to 2 hours and are held in a group setting.
In general, group therapy takes place as part of your treatment plan at an inpatient or outpatient drug rehab center like https://achievewellnessrecovery.com/. The goal of this type of therapy is to provide support and comfort while performing many tasks that will help you stay sober when you return home.
By participating in these types of sessions throughout your addiction treatment program, you’ll learn how to deal with your emotions, resist urges when they arise (like cravings), maintain healthy relationships with others (including family members), change behaviors that may have led up to your substance abuse problem(s) in the first place—and much more!
The more common types of Group Therapy include:
- Support groups
- Interpersonal Processing
- Skills Development
- Psychoeducational
- Cognitive-behavioral or Problem-Solving
Benefits of Group Therapy
Group therapy is a great way to connect with others who are in recovery. It also allows you to share your story and learn from other members of the group. Group sessions can be helpful because they allow you to see how others are dealing with similar issues, as well as being more open and honest with others.
Group therapy helps people feel less isolated because they don’t have to hide their feelings from others. This can improve self-esteem and make the participants feel better about their lives overall.
Peer support and pressure can go a long way in preventing relapse for most people. Within this social network you can achieve:
- A safety net of sorts that provides you with that critical support network. Increased confidence and support help you take on those challenges to your sobriety.
- The feeling of helping others with your experiences. You can feel deeply involved in your sobriety and that your experiences are also helping others.
- Finding your voice. Find and identify those emotions and talk about them. This helps you relate to yourself and others in much healthier ways!
How to Benefit the Most from Group Therapy
You can benefit the most from group therapy by listening to others, sharing your own thoughts and experiences, and asking questions. Don’t be afraid to talk about yourself or disagree with the group.
Group therapy is a form of treatment that brings people together in a safe environment where they can share their feelings and experiences with one another.
In group therapy, you may find it easier to open up because you don’t feel like you’re alone in what you’re going through; other members of the group are also experiencing similar emotions and situations. This allows for a deeper level of understanding among the participants by helping each person gain insight into themselves as well as those around them.
Sharing can be uncomfortable at first. You’ll also be asked to view things from different perspectives which can be challenging for many people. Start first with wanting to understand yourself and let yourself progress to being understood.
Do
- Ask questions.
- Share your experiences
- Listen carefully
- Support
- Reflect
- Apply your new skills
Don’t
- Talk over or interrupt
- Diminish the feelings of others
- Break anonymity
What Topics are Usually Addressed?
Group members help each other understand themselves and their addiction better by sharing their experiences, identifying patterns of behavior, discussing triggers, and acknowledging emotions through group discussion.
Common topics covered during group therapy are:
- Relationships
- Anger management
- Addiction and mental health education
- Codependency
- Goal setting
- Self-esteem
- Trauma
- Financial management
- Impulse control
- Stress management
- Conflict resolution
Conclusion
Group therapy is a great way to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
It can help you feel less isolated, get honest feedback from peers and experts, and find support from people with different backgrounds or life stories than yours.
If you’re looking for support during addiction recovery, group therapy should be one of the first places you turn!
