Group Therapy for Substance Use Disorder
One of the types of therapy frequently used in drug and alcohol treatment is group therapy. It sounds simple enough. You’ve seen it on dozens of television shows, right? People sit in a room together, often in a circle, and take turns talking.
What makes this simple process so powerful is the opportunity to come together with people who may be experiencing the same type of pain, whether cravings for drugs and alcohol, complications from relationships, or the emotional ups and downs of mental health disorders. The flexibility of group therapy is what makes it such a successful way to address your drug and alcohol addiction concerns.
What Is Group Therapy for Substance Abuse Really Like?
Group therapy enables people to come together to talk with the guidance of a professional therapist. Often 5 to 10 people will be involved in each session. These meetings last an hour or so and tend to happen a few times a week. Some happen every day.
But what’s it really like?
- You’ll talk about what you want to talk about and what is playing a role in your life at that moment. This may include the good and the bad, from improving relationships with friends or family to working through withdrawal symptoms.
- You’ll learn that you’re not alone. Group members get it. Who can better understand the struggle to stop using substances than others who are in the same situation?
- There’s often a good laugh or an uplifting story. You’ll share the whole gamut of emotions with your group members.
- It can also be a great way to develop new social skills and correct a lack of skills that could be hampering your relationships.
When you engage in group therapy, you gain a very big benefit: a sense of belonging. You may be able to work through anger and frustration, build self-esteem, and stop feeling like you are alone in your battle.
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse?
The benefits of group therapy depend on your specific needs. Some of the most common benefits people experience include:
- Access to support: Group therapy can create one of the best overall experiences for those who have lacked support and just need someone to listen. As a result, close friendships can develop that extend beyond the therapy sessions.
- A new perspective: Your story may be tragic, but you’ll see that others have equally and sometimes even more difficult experiences. The key is learning from each other.
- Freedom to speak openly without risk: Group therapy is a safe place. What you say here does not go anywhere, so you may feel more able to express thoughts you cannot talk about with others.
- Increased confidence: Each person in a group therapy session is very different and comes from a different background. That helps to create new ways of seeing problems and working through challenges.
- Increased self-esteem: When you share your goals with the group, you can get the support and encouragement to achieve those goals and feel good about your accomplishments.
Group therapy does not replace the benefits that come from individual therapy sessions you will have with your therapist. It is also complimented with experiential therapy, a way to engage in activities that help to process feelings and thoughts.
For many people, group therapy is about learning how to communicate, deal with people who are not like you, and control anger. Many people who spend time in group therapy talk about how much more empowered they feel to go back to their lives with tools and strategies to use when things get tough.
Explore the Treatment Options and Support Available from Our Team
At Victory Addiction Recovery Center, group therapy is one of several types of holistic and therapeutic care we offer to help people overcome the challenges of drug and alcohol addiction. No matter your past, you can expect to find the support, guidance, and innovative therapy options best for your healing and recovery. Contact our treatment center today to explore the opportunities that are available to you.