Why Group Therapy Works

The main goal of treatment is to heal a person physically as well as mentally. For those with substance abuse issues, one of the best ways to approach the mental health aspect is through group therapy.

What Is Group Therapy?

In substance abuse treatment there are a variety of therapy options that work in tandem to begin healing the resident. These include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Alternative therapy

However, the most widely used across all treatment centers is group therapy. This involves having a number of people—the number of which depends on the treatment center, but normally not exceeding eight—in a moderated situation. In this scenario, each person is given the opportunity to speak about their journey, problems, and triumphs. At the same time, the others are encouraged to weigh in with advice and questions of their own.

Benefits of Group Therapy

There are many benefits to group therapy. Two of the main benefits are building a personal community and learning how to reprogram one’s behavior.

Community

For many people recovering from substance use disorder, their substance abuse issues have left them isolated. This is often caused by pushing away concerned friends and family. Often, this comes about through their insistence that the individual seeks treatment.

However, when a person does finally agree to enter treatment, they will be given a non-judgmental community made up of others like them. Initially, they may be reticent to accept this environment. It can also be uplifting to be surrounded by people who not only want to hear their stories but genuinely desire their opinions. Many addicts may find this fascinating and different as they may not have been taken seriously in a long time.

Behavioral Reprogramming

When an individual has spent the majority of their time isolated and possibly dealing with an undiagnosed mental health issue, their behavior may become erratic. They may think that they can act however they want and say whatever they want. This may even seem normal and acceptable to them.

Group therapy will show them how to behave properly. This will happen by interacting with others in a controlled environment. They will learn how to address people, how to respond appropriately, and how to control their emotions when confronted.

Providing a Base for Treatment

As previously stated, group therapy is only a part of the treatment process. Still, it provides a base for all other pieces of that same process.

Treatment centers are closed environments where everyone exists beside everyone else. They live, work, and even eat together. These interactions all happen in a self-contained little world. When this becomes a person’s life, there will be all manner of interactions. Some are good, but others are not as good. While these will be dealt with by the staff, it’s in group therapy where this can be explored. Since these groups are about dealing with issues together, what better place to deal with issues they are also facing between each other?

Individuals Reacting in Real-Time

When people think about therapy, they often picture someone sitting on a couch opposite a therapist on a weekly basis, discussing what has happened over the past week while touching upon past issues. In a treatment program, group sessions are often held at least once a day, if not more. This allows the group to keep their conversation going at a much steadier pace. Issues that were brought up in the morning can be digested and dealt with that same afternoon.

This immediacy will provide residents with more opportunities to develop plans of action with their peers. In a treatment environment, this can have the type of effect that months of individual therapy may never reach. Should a person have questions, their fellow residents can have answers for them within hours, if not sooner. This real-time programming will also give people the ability to continue discussions outside of the group scenario. As they talk throughout the course of their day, more ideas may occur to them both individually and in smaller groups.

Preparing for the Next Steps

After time in treatment, residents will begin to show signs that they have started to accept the lessons being presented to them. Their behavior will become more acceptable, and their interactions smoother. Society will be just one step away for them. That is where the final steps of group therapy come into play and residents begin looking to their future.

Outside Groups

A part of the treatment process involves developing plans both for the time in treatment and for the next steps in the recovery process. Following treatment, people will often be expected to attend regular group meetings on top of ongoing therapy. Their time in groups will have prepared them for this next step.

It is important for them to accept group therapy as a viable type of treatment as it will play a pivotal role in their ongoing recovery process. Medical staff will monitor them during their rehab process to make sure they are ready for these next steps.

Twilight Recovery Center and Group Therapy

At Twilight Recovery Center we are prepared to offer the best in group therapy. Our knowledgeable staff has years of experience and our group sizes are considerably smaller than any you will find in other recovery centers. This allows for far more individualized care. When you can feel comfortable in group therapy, you will be ready for the next steps.