How Does Group Therapy Work?
In early recovery, the benefits of group therapy can mean the difference between relapse and success. While individual therapy is critical, group therapy offers unique dynamics and support.
Therapists trained in a range of therapeutic approaches facilitate group therapy sessions. Groups differ in size, make-up, and goals. During a session, patients work together to process events, learn new skills, share feedback, or solve conflicts. As a result, everyone has an opportunity to share their recovery rather than trying to go it alone.
The Benefits of Group Therapy
People in active addiction often lose relationships. As a result, peer support is one of the significant benefits of group therapy. Also, addiction is lonely because many addicts and alcoholics keep secrets and tend to use alone to protect their habit. In recovery, addicts must have people they can talk to who understand their struggle. Psychology Today describes group therapy offers a safe place for this.
Other Benefits Include:
A range of ideas: Members of a group can also be a sounding board for each other.
A safe place to practice: Generally group members can learn communication skills and practice them in a judgment-free zone.
A safe place to practice: Group members additionally learn communication skills and practice them in a judgment-free zone.
Increased self-awareness: Group members may also notice issues they struggle with by relating with others.
Accountability: Generally, group members encourage each other to make healthy choices and confront unsafe behaviors.
Modeling behavior and compassion: members who are further along in their recovery can also demonstrate how they cope with difficult situations.
Group therapy also offers opportunities that individual therapy can’t. For example, in a group, patients might practice psychodrama with one another to process trauma or grief.
What Topics Are Covered?
Group therapy tackles many of the same concerns as individual therapy. Groups focus on checking in with each patient, or they can include structured activities. Thus, most groups cover a range of topics. For example, some of these might include:
- Relapse prevention skills and planning
- Developing coping skills
- CBT or DBT
- Trauma processing
- Nutrition and self-care
- Life skills and vocational development
- Relationships and codependence
- Grief and loss
- Family issues
- Transitions in career, relationships, and goals
- Spirituality
These are just a few of the topics that your facilitator may cover in a group. One of the significant benefits of group therapy is that often, members can bring up a specific issue. As a result, the group might focus on that issue and how peers have coped with something similar.
Where Can I Find Group Therapy?
If you’re struggling, group therapy can be a positive start. For the best chance at success, patients should participate in group therapy, individual therapy, outside support such as twelve-step groups, medical and psychiatric support, and long-term aftercare. For this reason, at Lighthouse Recovery Institute we offer all of these services to give our patients the best chance at a life free from drugs and alcohol.
