Turning to therapy isn’t always easy. To truly reap the rewards, you must put yourself out there and be vulnerable to individuals you may have just met. Yet, therapy is one of the most effective ways to recover from mental illnesses like an addiction for a reason. It can help people discover themselves in ways they may have never thought possible while assisting them in recovering from something that seems to have control over their lives.

When you decide to turn to therapy, you want to make sure you’re on addiction therapy programs that give you the best opportunity to recover. That’s where group therapy from mental health professionals like the Steps to Recovery team is one of the best ways to impact your life for the better. But what is group therapy, and how exactly can you benefit from it? We’ll give you a clear understanding of what to expect when paired up with a group that fits your needs.

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is one of the many forms of psychotherapy. It involves a group setting — usually anywhere from 5-15 patients — who convene with one or more therapists. In these group therapy sessions, individuals will target specific problems like substance abuse or addiction and work on new ways of thinking or positive behaviors that make meaningful progress toward recovery. Group therapy can include types of groups, including cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, psychoeducational, support, and skill development groups.

Can Group Therapy Help Me Recover From My Addiction?

Group therapy is one of the most effective ways to lead individuals suffering from substance abuse or addiction further down the recovery process. It can help treat addictions to various substances, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Prescription Pain Meds
  • Opiates
  • Stimulants
  • Depressants
  • Hallucinogenics
  • Antidepressants
  • Depressants

What to Expect From Group Therapy

In most cases, you can expect to be in a room with other individuals looking for therapy for addiction treatment. What you do during therapy will vary depending on the individuals in the room, the therapist’s style, and where you are in the recovery process. You might find yourselves having a simple group discussion one day or practicing interpersonal skills the next. There might be icebreaker questions to help everyone get to know each other better or visualization and writing activities to discuss events in your past. Either way, you should expect a safe and comfortable environment that leads to meaningful growth and helps formulate relationships and bonds that can last a lifetime. 

How Can I Benefit?

So how can someone on the path toward addiction recovery benefit from group therapy? For one, group therapy activities help you feel connected with individuals on a similar path as you. It can make the process feel easier knowing someone is on your side. Group therapy is also interactive and can take your mind off some of life’s other stressors. Here are some other significant reasons why you should try group therapy for your substance abuse or addiction:

  • You’ll Learn Different Perspectives – Everyone gets to their situation differently. Group therapy can help you understand different perspectives to incorporate different strengths and methods into your recovery.
  • You’ll Learn to Take Accountability – It’s easy to blame your condition on something other than yourself. But step one to recovery is understanding the role you play in the process, and group therapy can help you take responsibility for your life.
  • You Can Feel More Confident – Receiving support from so many individuals in the same position as you can feel much more comforting, allowing you to feel confident that you can fully recover from your addiction.
  • You’ll Discover More About Yourself – There’s so much about ourselves that we fail to understand, especially when substance abuse or addiction is at the center of our minds. Group therapy can help you discover yourself in ways you never thought possible.
  • You’ll Learn to Communicate Better – Communication is critical for all aspects of life, but mental illnesses can make it challenging to feel comfortable communicating with others. Group therapy creates positive habits and a welcoming environment to practice discussing how you feel.
  • You Can Practice New Skills – A major part of understanding yourself is practicing different skills to stay aware of and understand bad habits, thoughts, and feelings. You can practice ways to feel comfortable in social situations or triggering locations to help quell your addiction.

Steps to Recovery Can Find the Right Collection of Individuals for You

A large part of what makes group therapy work is individuals like you. Finding the right collection of people on the path to recovery ensures that each person benefits tenfold from the various layers of group therapy. Instead of seeking help alone, you can turn to Steps to Recovery’s drug and alcohol group therapy programs and receive the support you need. Our professional medical staff will lead you through every meeting, providing expertise and allowing each individual to receive support and encouragement and take meaningful steps toward recovery. 

If you or a loved one need an effective treatment for addiction or other issues plaguing your mental health, contact us today or give Steps to Recovery a call at267.719.8528 to explore how group therapy can help you.

 

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-group-therapy 

https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/benefits-group-therapy-mental-health-treatment/ 

https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64223/