Where Many Addiction Treatment Journeys Begin
Group Therapy
In a study done by American Addiction Centers, they found that those who had a positive group counseling experience were 168% more likely to recommend their treatment facility to others, which means that group therapy played a big role in the success of their treatment.
It is never easy to seek help and but once you reach out, it has proven to be life-changing for the millions of people worldwide suffering from addiction and mental disorders. At Focused Addiction Recovery in Wallace, North Carolina, our behavioral health facility offers resources to help you or a loved one suffering from substance abuse and mental illness take a significant step towards recovery, and bettering one’s life.
Nonetheless, it’s important to understand that detoxing and going through the process of medicated-assisted treatment (MAT) does not guarantee recovery. It’s just the first step in preparing someone to begin their recovery program.
Group therapy for substance abuse is one of the many methods we utilize to help individuals who come to us for help be able to learn how to best cope with and manage their conditions.
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What Is Group Therapy?
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Group therapy is a form of counseling that includes one or more therapists working with multiple people simultaneously in a group setting as opposed to individual therapy, where it’s just you and a counselor. Usually, these groups meet for an hour or two each week to discuss various topics and problems that each individual is experiencing and learn skills to target these issues and heal through healthy coping mechanisms and behaviors.
Key Advantages of Group Therapy
Benefits of Group Therapy include:
- Connection with others in recovery
- Increased accountability and encouragement
- Healthy coping skill development
- Improved communication skills
- New perspectives and shared experiences
- Reduced isolation and greater support
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
Group therapy brings individuals together in a structured, supportive setting where they can explore challenges related to substance use and recovery alongside others with similar experiences. Through therapist-guided discussions and activities, clients can develop healthier coping strategies, improve communication, identify triggers, and gain new perspectives that can help them navigate challenges throughout recovery.
At Focused Addiction Recovery, Group Therapy also helps clients build connection and recognize that they do not have to navigate recovery alone. Participants can learn from one another, practice healthy communication, receive encouragement, and develop greater accountability for their recovery goals. Building supportive relationships within a therapeutic environment can help reduce isolation while strengthening the skills and confidence needed for continued recovery.
The Goals Of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse
understanding group therapy
The foundation of group therapy is to create a sense of belonging and help individuals feel like they are safe among their group members. While common experiences are being shared, the individual is likely to open up about their experiences as well.
Group Therapy Principles
Some of the group therapy methods and principles that are often used include:
- Helping individuals get a sense of control over their lives
- To encourage sharing, bonding, and coping
- To create a sense of belonging or relatability through understanding
- Address issues that are common to most members of the group
- To help individuals identify negative behaviors
How Is Group Therapy Helpful During Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery?
group therapy
For individuals who are committed to their recovery group therapy for substance abuse can be a very effective option. It helps assist those in the long-term recovery process by providing them with the skills they need to prevent relapse. While there are many different types of therapies provided.
Group Therapy Techniques for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)
group therapy techniques
There are multiple different techniques used in group therapy for individuals who suffer from substance abuse disorder. It is a combination of goals and the needs of each individual that dictates which group therapy technique is best.
Some of these methods include:
Psychoeducational Groups
This sort of group will usually be educated about substance abuse, the behavior, and the consequences of using. The leader, in this case, the therapist would direct individuals towards applications that they should use in their lives. These applications can include, self-awareness, creating the opportunity for growth and change, using resources in the community to help with recovery, understanding the process of recovery as well as encouraging individuals to take action and enter a treatment program.
The purpose of these groups is to spread awareness of the behavioral, medical, and psychological toll that substance abuse can have on an individual while motivating them to recover. These groups teach individuals what they need to learn to identify and avoid circumstances that draw them towards substance abuse. They would learn healthy coping skills that help them confront their issues differently.
Skills Development Groups
In a skill development group, the purpose is to train individuals to use different coping skills to achieve and maintain abstinence. They may also adapt to other skills that help them refuse offers of drugs, avoid triggers for use, cope with the urge to use, solve their issues, relax, or manage their anger.
These types of groups often use a bit of a cognitive-behavioral approach. Typically individuals who rely on substance abuse as a method to cope with the world may have lost the ability to manage differently. Therefore, the opportunity to learn a new skill is a big factor in recovery. Group therapy is a good choice when it comes to skill development.
Individuals can look at how other group members are coping and using other skills besides substances to avoid using. This would eventually motivate the individual to practice those skills as well. Most individuals learn how to control powerful emotions or improve their skill of refusing to engage in substance use through group therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Groups
Cognitive behavioral groups tackle dependency. This is the psychological and behavioral part that is attracted and attached to the substance. It can often create cravings or the need for the substance. These groups work to change the behavior of the individual by helping them develop new thinking patterns, beliefs, and perceptions.
Sometimes these groups would develop social networks that support the individual and help them continue their abstinence. This allows the individual to be more aware of any behaviors that may lead to relapse and develop different ways to continue recovery.
Support Groups
Support groups provide a long-term goal in treatment that changes the lifestyle of the individual and help play a significant role in those transitions. Support groups give the individual access to unconditional acceptance, inward reflection, and the ability to be open and honest when it comes to their interactions while being committed to change. These groups help individuals sustain abstinence.
Recovery meetings help individuals develop and strengthen the way they manage their thoughts and emotions and to create better interpersonal skills. Group members also play a role in ensuring that the individual maintains abstinence and can manage day to day living without resorting to alcohol or drugs.
Interpersonal Process Groups
Interpersonal process groups use psychodynamics as their foundation to encourage change and healing. This includes how the individual approaches conflicting forces in their minds, and the ability to understand if their behavior is healthy or not. Sometimes an individual’s addiction is caused by their environmental influences growing up which makes them vulnerable.
Interpersonal process groups examine those issues, whether it relates to the environment, genetics, or biological characteristics that made the individual lean toward substance abuse.
Individual Therapy vs Group Therapy
Individual therapy is when a therapist helps an individual work through their thoughts, emotions, and issues. It is not the same thing as getting advice from friends or family because a therapist is a trained professional who knows what to look for and how to help find the root of the addiction. It is important to note that while individual therapy does not include peer interaction, is costly, and may require motivation there are many benefits to it as well, such as:
- Confidentiality
- One on one attention
- Customized treatment
- Strong therapeutic alliance
- Development of self-awareness
- Flexible scheduling
- Quick appointments
On the other hand, group therapy involves multiple group members sharing their experiences and receiving support from others while offering guidance. Individuals learn new social skills and are more committed to maintaining abstinence. There are many pros to group therapy, including:
- The assurance that the individual is not alone
- Receiving and giving support
- Development of communication and socialization skills
- Self-awareness
Some of the cons of group therapy include:
- Not being the center of attention
- Less confidentiality
- Less flexibility
An individual who is struggling with substance abuse and is undergoing treatment can choose individual or group therapy based on what they believe is fit for them. Both individual and group therapy utilize methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help the individual recover and use the new skills given to them to adapt and navigate life without drugs or alcohol. CBT targets the moods, thoughts, and situations that the individual is in to understand the triggers or cravings and from there the therapist can understand the changes the individual would need to make in their lifestyle.
What is the Next Step After Detox?
drug rehab options
After you have completed detox, you will be evaluated for a mental health disorder. The purpose of this is to make sure that you are getting the best possible treatment for your addiction. If you do not have a mental health disorder, you will be able to go straight into drug abuse treatment. If you do have a mental health disorder, you will first need to receive treatment for that before you can begin drug abuse treatment.
An addiction treatment program will be the next step after detox is completed. This is where you will learn how to live a life without substances. You will also be taught how to deal with triggers and cravings. Treatment usually lasts between 30 and 120 days. During this time, you will participate in individual and group therapy. You may also have family therapy. Your length in addiction will depend on the treatment program you enroll in and what your recommendation dictates. Two programs that you may enroll in for addiction treatment could include a partial hospitalization program or an intensive outpatient program.
SACOT/PHP
Designed for individuals who need a high level of care, this program combines structured therapy with treatment planning to promote progress.
SAIOP/IOP
Flexible scheduling allows clients to receive evidence based treatment while continuing to manage work, school, and family.
OUTPATIENT
SOBER LIVING
A structured, substance free living environment gives clients the stability and support needed to strengthen healthy routines and recovery skills.
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Find The Right Treatment Center That Offers Group Therapy
Finding the right treatment center is not an easy task. As an individual searching for a treatment center that will guarantee your recovery it is best to seek a center that has numerous options when it comes to therapy and can cater to your needs. One that will provide you a customized treatment for your needs.
Individuals must understand how group therapy works and the process that the treatment center uses for these therapy sessions. Even knowing what kind of people the treatment center hires to hold these group sessions. Understanding how many people are in these sessions, and how long they last are all important factors that could play a role in a person’s recovery.