Group therapy is often one component of drug and alcohol addiction treatment. In a group therapy session, individuals work to support each other, often led by a therapist. How can this type of treatment work or be beneficial? The benefits of group therapy are numerous and they often apply to most types of behavioral addictions. Though they do not replace one-on-one therapy with a professional, they can be highly helpful as a component of care.
How Is Group Therapy Typically Used in Rehab?
Group therapy for substance abuse often involves several individuals who are in rehab coming together to talk and interact with each other. The sessions are led by a professional, who may introduce topics and help to steer the conversation. In this setting, each person has the ability – but is never forced – to open up and speak.
Most often, group therapy isn’t just designed to provide a way to talk about anything. Rather, it typically centers around a specific topic or aspect of rehab. This way, each meeting of that group can be constructive and lead to improvement and support recovery.
Group therapy is a big part of recovery in several areas. It can also help to sustain long-term relapse avoidance in many situations. After leaving inpatient care, many people continue on with local, structured group therapy. This helps to reaffirm what a person learns during treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
It doesn’t always seem easy to open up about what is happening to you to a big group of people. It can be overwhelming. However, what’s depicted on TV isn’t always very accurate of what really happens in group therapy. That is, groups are small. You don’t have to “stand up” in front of everyone either. Rather, you’ll work with a few people and a professional in an environment where there’s ample respect for you.
Consider some of the benefits that come from group therapy for substance abuse. Know that your benefits may be significantly different than another person’s experiences.
- Gather insights about your condition. Group therapy is often educational-based. It is often the ideal way to learn about addiction, including the science behind it. You’ll learn why this happened to you and why it’s not your fault.
- Discuss what you’re facing openly. There is ample privacy in this type of setting with each person respecting the other’s experiences. When you can open up about what you’re feeling and get feedback from people who actually know what you’re facing, that’s a good thing and a positive benefit.
- Learn real-life tools. One of the key components of a successful group therapy session is sharing information with each other. That means you’ll have the ability to share what’s worked to help you deal with stress in your life or learn how other people have overcome the cravings they’ve had. It’s about real-world solutions.
- Group therapy can help with healing. Even though therapists understand what’s happened to you, it’s not the same as being surrounded by people who have lived what you are living. That type of real-world experience can help you finally break through some of the hard parts of your recovery.
- Holding you accountable. Quite often, the friendships formed here carry on for years to come. It is also one of the most important places to be when you need to have someone that will hold you accountable in recovery. Not every conversation leads to a solution, but sometimes the motivation and support you receive here can help you achieve more than you could on your own.
How to Make Group Therapy Work for You
Group therapy is more than just sitting down to listen to what other people have to say. Though it can be incredibly hard and even seems impossible, you will be more successful in your recovery when you are able to open up in sessions. Sharing your thoughts and opinions is always welcome, even when they may not be what others think. That type of open conversation helps you while also helping others in the group to explore the real world of addiction. Embrace this type of treatment to get the very best outcome in your situation.
How To Get Help for Addiction
Group therapy is one component of the care you’ll receive in addiction treatment. If you are like many others, you know that you need help but you don’t want to step away from family or have to explain what’s happening to you. It’s okay to realize that there’s a need to get help.
Contact us today to learn more about how our programs can help you in your journey. Or give us a call at (866) 971-5531. Find out how easy it can be to step into treatment and start a new life, supported by group therapy.
