According to the National Institutes of Health, about 10% of adults struggle with drug addiction. If you or someone you know struggles with some form of addiction, it may seem like finding something that will help is impossible. But we are here to tell you that help by way of treatment is one of the best avenues you can pursue on the road to recovery.
One of the best methods to undergo during this process is group therapy for addiction treatment. Believe it or not, but group counseling holds several positive benefits for those recovering from substance abuse. If you want to find out what these benefits are, then keep reading our informative guide.
Group Therapy Shows You Are Not Alone
Group therapy in substance abuse treatment highlights the fact that you are not alone. Many people who struggle with substance abuse feel like everyone around them is judgmental about their life choices and behavior.
Sometimes, this feeling of loneliness can lead to further complications. Many people who feel isolated from the world, friends, or family will turn to drug and alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism.
In group therapy, you get to see that others are going through the same problems as you. As each person shares their stories, you may find that what you felt was unique is a commonly shared issue.
Through group therapy, you may each talk about your experiences with substance abuse. The counselor in charge may also employ a series of tactics that allow people to open up more about themselves in a private setting.
For instance, Irvin D. Yalom, author of The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, told the members of one of their support groups to jot down on a piece of paper something they were too afraid to express verbally during the counseling sessions.
Yalom reports that each person wrote something shockingly similar to the next. Common themes of inadequacy and incompetence abounded through the counseling sessions.
When you go to group therapy, you get to see that there are people just like you harboring the same pain and secrets. That can make someone with substance abuse issues feel less alienated from other people.
Group Therapy Gives You a Chance to Tell Your Story
In many group therapy sessions, a counselor will have everyone sit in a circle. They choose a starting point, then go around the room having everyone share their stories.
Keep in mind, they don’t force you to talk if you do not want to, and you can tell as much about your experiences as you’d like. Some people keep things simple. Others take the chance to open up about their suffering. Group therapy is best for this because you are in the midst of people who understand your situation.
Sometimes, victims of substance abuse feel as though they have no voice or have lost their identity. You can take this chance to tell your story. By opening up in each session, you will find you will get it off your chest and re-build your self-worth and identity.
Group Therapy Is a Safety Net
On top of relating to others, you may make friends. Many people who attend group therapy come to rely on it as a way to keep themselves going.
Since everyone there is understanding and in the same boat, it creates a safety net. So, if you start to feel like you want to relapse or experience mental depression or other dangerous thoughts, you can go to your group therapy and discuss.
The mere act of talking through things can keep people clean and safe. The counselor and others there will also help talk you through some problems.
Remember, many people turn to substance abuse when they begin to feel isolated again. Having a group of like-minded therapy friends can break that isolation barrier and be there to catch you when you feel you are about to fall.
Group Therapy Shows Treatment Is Working
The more you or another person attends their group therapy, the more they will come to see that their treatment is working. If you are in a residential treatment center, a process group is a part of the many treatment steps.
When you go to that group and talk, you will eventually notice yourself growing healthier and more positive. Verbalizing your current mental state and how you feel about life will highlight how far you have come. That in itself boosts the ego and can keep someone on a healthy path to recover as they would not want to backtrack on their progress and let their group down.
Which Group Counseling Method Is Right for You?
When it comes to choosing group therapy, you should assess what would benefit you the best. These groups come in comes in several different formats like:
- Residential treatment
- Online support groups
- Peer-led support groups
- Peer in health care settings
Those are just a few examples of the many types of group counseling you can seek out. However, for most people, residential therapy works best.
That is because they are in a facility that offers several different treatment structures and steps. Some find that a strict schedule helps them better during the recovery process. And your group therapy members will hold you accountable if you do not show up.
Group Therapy for Addiction Treatment
As you can tell, group therapy for addiction treatment has several benefits that help others on the road to recovery. But, perhaps the most crucial pro from the group approach is that you see you are not alone.
Remember, others are going through the same situation as you are. That in itself lends a load of support and can help you remain stronger through the rehabilitation process. We hope this article helps you see that substance treatment and group therapy are necessary to create a better tomorrow for yourself. If you or someone you know needs help, Lift Off Recovery is always here for you. Please, feel free to contact us today with any questions you may have.