Group therapy sessions are a place where people receive support from other group members who are dealing with similar issues. Group therapy for substance abuse is highly effective in treating individuals struggling with drug addiction and is often offered in conjunction with family therapy, individual therapy, medication management, and other services. Join Avenues Recovery, leading addiction rehabilitation specialists, as we explain how group therapy works, its benefits, and the different types of group therapy for drug addiction.
What Is Group Therapy for Substance Abuse?
Group therapy for substance abuse is a gathering of several people engaging in therapy together to combat their substance use disorder. Addiction group therapy can range from one to five times a week, totaling about one to six hours each week. Additionally, drug abuse group therapy can be revolving or fixed. In a fixed group, members participate for a fixed amount of sessions, while in a revolving group, members come and go based on their current stage of drug treatment.
The group is facilitated by an experienced mental health/addiction professional and is usually small, consisting of three to ten people. A small group ensures every person receives the attention they need.
Group therapy for substance abuse provides structure and discipline to people’s lives. The group leader begins by laying out the rules and goals of the group. Together with the participants, the addiction therapist guides the group to create changes in their thoughts and behaviors regarding substance abuse. At group treatment sessions, individuals gain many therapeutic tools, such as:
- Recovery strategies
- Relapse prevention plans
- Healthy coping skills
- Social skills
- Outside support
The 5 Types of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse
There are five main types of effective group therapy for alcohol addiction and drug abuse. Understanding the different approaches will help each individual to find the right addiction group therapy for them.
1. Psychoeducational Groups for Substance Abuse
Psychoeducational groups for substance abuse focus on educating drug users about substance abuse and its consequences. The goal of psychoeducational therapy is to provide awareness of drug abuse and its physical, psychological, social, and emotional effects. The information is presented by the group leader through videos, lectures, facilitated discussions, and other forums.
2. Skill Development Groups
While skill development groups also inform participants about substance abuse, its main focus is on helping users gain the necessary skills to keep away from drugs. This includes healthy coping strategies and appropriate interpersonal interactions.
3. CBT Group Therapy for Substance Abuse
CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is a very effective treatment for individuals struggling with substance abuse. The CBT approach helps change behaviors by focusing on the thought processes that lead to decision-making. When an individual's thinking patterns are altered, they are less likely to turn to drugs, and they acquire the tools to overcome their addiction.
4. Support Treatment Groups for Substance Abuse
Support treatment groups are heavily focused on providing support to each other. Individuals give and receive support and encouragement from others to keep going with treatment. This can be especially beneficial to individuals whose anxiety hinders them from receiving treatment.
5. Interpersonal Process Treatment Groups
Interpersonal process treatment groups aim to identify the developmental and environmental factors contributing to the individual’s struggle with drugs. By bringing these past occurrences to the table, individuals can learn from their past and create stronger and healthier interpersonal relationships.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse
Although it may feel uncomfortable or intimidating at first, group therapy for substance abuse provides many advantages. At times, group therapy can be more effective than individual therapy. Some of the major benefits of group therapy include:
1. Group Therapy Gives a Sense of Hope
Group therapy for substance abuse allows people to witness how others deal with similar problems, a perspective that can’t be gained in individual therapy. Noticing their peers’ positive changes gives them a sense of hope and encouragement to keep going with their treatment. Many participants in group therapy begin to think, “If he can do it, so can I.”
2. Overcoming Isolation in a Therapy Group
Many individuals struggling with drug abuse feel isolated from society. At times, they may feel like no one cares about them. Through group treatment, individuals feel that they are not alone in their struggle. Rather, they belong to a community of individuals determined to win the fight against addiction. Addiction therapy groups provide people with a group of sober friends and a sense of family that they may have been lacking.
3. Empathy and Support in a Group Setting
When people seek treatment for substance abuse, they need empathy and encouragement. In a group setting, individuals can feel understood and supported by others who are also receiving help. This can be very healing and increase an individual’s confidence and optimism. In addition, receiving positive feedback from others can improve their self-esteem, helping them believe in themselves.
4. Giving Is Receiving in Group Treatment Sessions
Not only do individuals receive support in a group setting, but they are also encouraged to provide support to other group members. Providing encouragement for others struggling with addiction can be a very positive experience. In the recovery world, people often say that the best way to stay clean and sober is to give back and be of service to other people.
5. Group Sessions Teach Better Social Skills
Group therapy for substance abuse can also help patients learn how to relate to other people appropriately. People who have been using substances for a while often lose the ability to interact with others healthily and appropriately. Being in a group setting allows them role-play and try out their social skills. If something inappropriate is said or done, multiple people - including the mental health professional in charge of the group - can correct members and teach them proper behavior.
Additionally, group counseling helps individuals learn how to request and receive help, another skill necessary for everyday life.
6. Learning From Others’ Behavior
In addition to learning new skills, group therapy for substance abuse also helps members learn what not to do. Group therapy allows patients to recognize maladaptive behaviors and unhealthy coping mechanisms in the other members, helping them notice similar unfit behaviors within themselves and learn how to change them.
Disadvantages of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse
While there are many benefits of group therapy for addiction, it also poses some challenges:
Individualization: Therapy in a group setting is less personal than one-on-one sessions. When someone sees a licensed mental health professional alone, the professional can tailor the sessions to that specific individual.
Pace: People take different amounts of time to open up to their counselors. Group counseling for addiction can be challenging for people who need therapy to advance at a slower pace in order for them to build trust in their therapist.
Intimidation: Group settings can make it uncomfortable for people to share personal challenges in front of others they don't know well. Speaking about personal experiences in a group setting may feel almost impossible for some people who suffer from anxiety alongside addiction.
Confidentiality: Although group members are not supposed to share information from group therapy with others, it’s unlikely every member will be able to uphold confidentiality as strictly as a professional therapist in individual therapy. This potentially compromised privacy may make group members hesitant to open up and maximize their treatment sessions.
Dynamics: In a group setting, it is common for some members not to get along with each other. Conflict can be disruptive for those involved and the other members in the group.
Can Group Therapy Be Used Alone for Substance Abuse?
While group therapy can be beneficial for people suffering from addiction, it is usually used alongside many other treatments to help patients in their recovery. In addition to group counseling, it’s important that patients engage in individual counseling. The effectiveness of group therapy for substance abuse depends on which other treatments patients are engaged in.
Group therapy is used in many settings including inpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient programs.
12-Step Meetings
In addition to individual therapy, 12-step meetings can be a very helpful tool. 12-step meetings are similar to group counseling; everyone shares their fears, successes, and failures, and members receive a lot of support from other group members. It can take time to find the right 12-step meeting. Attending multiple meetings is the best way for someone to figure out what meetings they feel most comfortable in and which meetings are the most helpful for them.
Is Group Therapy for Substance Abuse Right for Me?
Although group therapy may not be a good fit for everyone, it’s advisable to give it a chance before deciding against it. Most people do experience benefits from group counseling.
At Avenues Recovery, our dedicated team of professionals is dedicated to providing you with a range of advanced treatment programs and resources to treat substance abuse. Contact Avenues Recovery to find out more about group therapy for substance abuse and hear how we can lead you or your loved one to recovery.