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SponsoredGroup therapy is one of several treatment approaches used in the treatment of substance use disorders, including alcohol addiction. It’s often offered alongside individual and family therapy sessions to help clients in rehab programs overcome triggers and temptations, explore the root of their addiction, and develop healthy coping skills for long-term recovery.
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What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a type of talk therapy that involves a group of participants guided by a single therapist, typically a licensed mental health professional trained in conducting group therapy.
Group therapy is often considered a cornerstone in alcohol treatment programs. Group members come from varied backgrounds, yet have at least one thing in common with other group members—an addiction to alcohol or drugs.
A therapy group is a reflection of your life and personal issues. Group therapy provides an opportunity to set aside differences and engage with, support, and help one another. Different perspectives from others may help you see your problems with alcohol in a new light.
Group therapy allows you to interact with others in a safe and controlled environment. This can be a beneficial way to learn new skills that can help you transition out of a treatment environment. In your group, you can hear firsthand from individuals who are going through treatment and learn from their experiences, challenges, and successes.
A therapy group for alcohol use disorder (AUD) can provide a safe place to process your feelings and receive support, encouragement, and assistance from your peers.
Professional Leadership
Most group therapy sessions are facilitated by a professional with a specific treatment plan . Everyone in a group is typically at approximately the same recovery point. For example, all members of the group may be in early recovery or all nearing the end date of an inpatient program.
Professional therapists can focus on such issues as:
- Mental health concerns
- Developing personal recovery plans
- Establishing a relapse prevention plan
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Help is standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.SponsoredWhat Are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
There are several specific benefits of group therapy in an alcohol use disorder treatment program, including the following.
Structure
One of the primary benefits of group therapy is the ability to bring together people who share certain characteristics or life experiences. For example, a group may be composed of only women or men to address specific issues related to gender. If the treatment facility deals with AUD and other substance use disorders, it might offer a separate group just for clients with AUD. These distinctions allow you to more easily relate to the experiences of group members.
Groups can also be designed around dual diagnosis, which is a combination of a mental health disorder and an AUD or SUD. For example, a group within an alcohol treatment program could be composed of members who also have a diagnosis of depression or another mood disorder.
There is power in addressing other issues at the same time as alcohol addiction or drug dependence. Life is challenging for everyone, and you may have multiple issues that challenge you. A treatment program does not have to ignore other critical issues while focusing on the addiction only. Part of the treatment process is preparing to transition back to your daily life after intensive treatment.
Increased Interactions
Your alcohol addiction may have caused you to spend more time alone. Many individuals with substance use disorders experience isolation out of shame or embarrassment. They may try to hide their substance misuse or its effects, or avoid interpersonal issues like arguments with loved ones. The separation from your family and friends may actually contribute to continued substance misuse.
Entering treatment allows you to connect with other people. You may feel that you are alone in your addiction and that people in your life don’t understand the challenges you face. Group therapy can help you realize that you are not alone and that others have similar histories, fears, and interpersonal struggles.
Sense of Community
In addition to reducing isolation, group therapy in an alcohol treatment program can also help establish a sense of community. Being a part of something larger than yourself is an essential part of a healthy life. Spending time with others increases your feelings of personal strength and unity with others who have similar experiences.
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Help is standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.SponsoredAccountability
Entering treatment and being involved with group therapy creates an opportunity to be held accountable for your actions. Addiction is influenced by internal and external factors, and progresses through a series of choices.
Many individuals with substance use disorders find it difficult to identify where to place responsibility for the circumstances that led them to seek treatment. Some feel an overwhelming sense of toxic shame and a sense that everything that has ever happened to them is their fault. Others may struggle to accept responsibility for any of their actions, especially those that lead to feelings of guilt or regret.
Part of recovery is learning to be accountable for your own behavior and accepting that you are not responsible for others’ behavior and cannot change it. It’s also important to externalize the shame you may feel about events that you could not control.
This is a complex process that often begins with identifying and accepting responsibility for your own choices, including the ones that led to the development of your addiction. You may need to process the fact that while some of these decisions seemed harmless or even right at the time, and you couldn’t have anticipated where they would lead, you are still responsible for making them.
The first step in making lasting changes is to see that you have power in your own life. While many factors can contribute to addiction, making new choices can help you recover. Your peers can hold you accountable in a caring, non-judgmental way that provides you with the strength you need to develop self-accountability.
Psychoeducational Opportunity
Many addiction treatment programs teach about the disease of addiction and how alcohol and other substances affect your body and brain. Understanding these effects helps you understand your behavior when under the influence and find the personal motivation for recovery.
Educational therapy sessions cover the impact that alcohol has on you in the following areas:
- Physically
- Emotionally
- Interpersonally
Psychoeducational groups focused on interpersonal effects of substances often also provide tools for you to strengthen relationships and rebuild those that have been damaged by addiction.
Recovery Skill Training
Group therapy also helps you establish and strengthen behaviors that are critical to living sober. For instance, group therapy for alcoholism that focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can provide insight into managing your thoughts and feelings. The foundational principle of CBT is learning to identify how certain thoughts influence your actions. You can develop new coping skills and overcome previously difficult challenges.
Recognizing Triggers
Group therapy can help you recognize triggers that may contribute to your substance misuse. Dealing with triggers is an essential part of recovery. Sharing your experiences and listening to others discuss their challenges can give you insight and new methods for recognizing your triggers.
How Is Group Therapy Different Than Peer Support?
It is important to distinguish between group therapy in a recovery program and a self-help peer support group. An addiction support group is a type of group that you join voluntarily, often following formal addiction treatment. Group therapy is typically included as part of a formal treatment program. These therapy sessions are led by a licensed professional while a self-help group may have a volunteer facilitator with some nonprofessional training or may even be led by a peer member from the group.
An example of a peer support group is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). This type of group offers ongoing assistance and support to help you maintain your sobriety.
Group therapy and support groups complement each other. While in treatment, group therapy focuses on evidence-based therapy for alcoholism. You can develop new adaptive behaviors and attitudes that can help you overcome your addiction and begin to live a sober life.
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Help is standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.SponsoredSome addiction treatment programs include peer support group sessions in their programming as a tool to help you transition out of an intensive treatment environment. These peer groups may differ in format from community peer groups. Attending AA while attending an outpatient program or after addiction treatment can allow you to interact with others also in recovery. Here you can practice the skills you learned in rehab.
While peer groups are a helpful tool for many individuals with alcohol use disorder before, during, and after treatment, formal addiction treatment—including group therapy—can offer the long-term tools necessary for recovery.
If you or a loved one struggles with an alcohol addiction or dependence on another substance, please call
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