What are the key benefits of group therapy in addiction recovery

What are the key benefits of group therapy in addiction recovery

Group therapy in addiction recovery

It is said that “connection is the opposite of addiction.” Groups in essence help members learn to cope with their substance abuse and other problems by allowing them to see how others deal with similar problems.

Group therapy typically involves one or two counsellors leading a group of five to fifteen clients through a group counselling session. This may seem intimidating at first, considering you’re supposed to talk about your problems with strangers, but many people are pleasantly surprised with how much they like it and what they get out of it, group therapy sessions are set up to confront a specific issue common to the group members, like substance use disorder (SUD).

And while group therapy may sound scary or intimidating at first, group therapy can offer many benefits that individual therapy cannot. Groups can act as a support system and a sounding board and can offer other benefits as well.

It is common for individuals dealing with substance abuse issues to feel isolated and ashamed. In many instances, SUD has trauma at its root. When you realize that you aren’t the only one who has experienced trauma and turned to drugs or alcohol to cope with the emotional pain, it can be easier to open up and confront your past. Knowing that you are not alone can help you move forward with feelings of peace and connectedness.

Because group therapy provides a space to talk about your feelings and receive support, it also teaches the skills necessary to ask for support and provide support to others. These skills are essential to gain during the recovery process, as it is a long and challenging journey that is much easier done with company.

Not only is it easier to communicate your own feelings and needs, but it also becomes easier to listen as you are all engaged together in the process of listening and understanding. If you’ve misunderstood someone, you will realize it as others speak up. Listening and understanding are additional skills you can take from group therapy and carry with you throughout your recovery.

In addition to practicing these new skills, group therapy allows you to receive feedback on these skills as well. Our self-image is often distorted, and interacting with others is a great way to gain self-awareness. By participating in group therapy, we can gain feedback on how we can act and interact with others differently as we move forward.

Five benefits of group counselling below:

• Encourages Vulnerability
• Provides Community Support
• Reduces Isolation
• Widens Perspective
• Offers Firsthand Evidence of Improvement

Group Therapy as a Part of Recovery

No matter what program you end up in, group therapy will probably be a part of your addiction treatment, teaching you new ways to behave, interact, listen, understand, and explore, which will aid in the treatment process and your lifetime of recovery.

Stories of Recovery

• The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
  Oliver VG
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• On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
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• I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
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• "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
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