5 Key Benefits of Group Therapy

For rehabilitation to be effective, it needs to be comprehensive. This means dealing with both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction so that you have the most chance of achieving your long-term recovery goals.

Dealing with the physical side of addiction through detoxing is usually a process that takes around a week. Getting to grips with your addiction and digging deep is a much more time-consuming process that doesn’t follow a straight line.

Whilst individual therapy is vital, group therapy for addiction is a must for any successful recovery journey. If you have an addiction, suddenly, the prospect of being open about something shameful can seem daunting. This is why it’s important to know what group therapy is, what types there are and most importantly, why it works.

In this article, we’ll be covering the key benefits of group therapy and providing information on the core types available for those in recovery.

What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a type of therapy that began around 1905 when Dr. Joseph H. Pratt began treating his tuberculosis patients together. It gained popularity post-WWII when therapists began to treat veterans together to improve mental health.

In group therapy, multiple meet together and are led through a session by a professional. At drug and alcohol rehab, group therapy is usually a daily occurrence and tends to last an hour.

There are different types of group therapy. The focus of each session may be different depending on what arises throughout the session, how the group interacts, or what the professional leading the session wants to focus on.

Key Benefits of Group Therapy

See below for five key benefits of group therapy.

Peer Support and Shared Experiences

Peer support in addiction recovery is one of the most important pillars. Addiction can be something that isolates people – makes them live in their heads and feel ashamed of themselves. By meeting and speaking with others who have had the same experiences with alcohol and drug addiction, a strong sense of community and belonging can be built.

There is also a huge emotional relief because once hidden emotions and concerns are validated with empathy, you find that others are experiencing the same struggles.

Learning From Others’ Perspectives

One of the more significant benefits of group therapy is being exposed to other people’s perspectives. During residential addiction treatment, you will be put with other people who have had similar experiences, as well as being from very different backgrounds and having different stories and alternative mindsets.

This can be helpful as you will be exposed to different coping strategies, and other people will look at your situation and others differently.  People will also be at different stages of recovery. You will better understand your situation as you look at others, offer advice, and receive it from different members.

Accountability and Motivation

Accountability is important in recovery. To overcome your addiction, you have to face up to your past behaviour and take responsibility for it. Group therapy provides a structure where you can do this, and other people can encourage you. If you are slipping or not engaging, then your peers can pull you up on this and help you stay committed to your recovery journey.

Group therapy is also a great source of motivation. Seeing how others are progressing can urge you to keep going. Also, when you are held to account by others in the group, this can motivate you to improve.

Developing Social and Communication Skills

As a grown adult, you might think your social and communication skills are up to par. Addiction can dispel this as you have been keeping things from others and letting the situation get worse until you need professional help.

Group therapy for addiction builds up your communication skills as the focus is on actively listening to others and participating in the discussion. You will get better at understanding other points of view, becoming clearer in your thoughts and words and learning how to better engage with others.

The social aspect of group therapy cannot be overstated. You may be shy and ashamed, but these sessions provide a supportive and structured environment in which you can find your voice and connect with others.

Reducing Feelings of Isolation

The effects of drugs and alcohol on your mental health can be severe. It’s easy to become isolated when suffering from addiction, your habits pulling you away from close friends and family.

Group therapy can reduce these feelings of loneliness and isolation as you come upon people who understand your experiences, challenges, worries and successes. You become part of a supportive network where vulnerability is applauded, and you begin to feel more comfortable in yourself.

Types of Group Therapy

There are many types of group therapies that you may encounter during your recovery journey. To ease any worries you might have, it’s helpful to know the types so that you can prepare yourself for what might be expected of you.

Cognitive Behavioural

This is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a type of therapy focused on recognising negative thoughts and behaviours and changing them. This is a very common type of group therapy.

Psychoeducational

The focus of these groups is educating you about addiction and the consequences of it, as well as ways to live a healthier lifestyle and deal with triggers. Group therapy and mental health are closely entwined, so learning more about topics around your addiction can be helpful in understanding your issues better.

Skill Development

These sessions are about developing skills for everyday life. This can mean working on social skills and learning more practical skills, such as dealing with money and addiction triggers.

Interpersonal Process

These groups are more free-form and are focused on communication and connection between group members. You may deal with childhood issues and heavier traumatic topics in a supportive environment.

Support Groups

These groups you are likely to encounter after rehab. They are usually peer-led, meaning there aren’t professionals, and you get together to share experiences and support one another.

Find Out More About Group Therapy Now

There are many benefits to group therapy, not just the five listed above. It is a key resource that anyone struggling with addiction can benefit from.

At Asana Lodge, group therapy is a part of our comprehensive addiction treatment programme that is effective at helping people overcome substance abuse. To learn more about our private drug and alcohol rehab and begin your recovery journey, get in touch now.

Call us at 01908 489 421 to speak to one of our team.