Recovery from addiction requires a multifaceted approach that addresses all areas of a person’s life. Detox and withdrawal are often the first experiences a person has in recovery, but those are just the beginning. The work to maintain a sober lifestyle must continue with the help of ongoing support and therapy. In addition to Individual counseling, group therapy programs are a vital component of your treatment plan.
To learn more about how group therapy for addiction can support your lifelong recovery, reach out to Midwest Center at Youngstown at 844.544.0502. Our group therapy programs complement our individual and family counseling and holistic therapies so you can experience thorough healing.
How Does Group Therapy for Addiction Work?
You may be wondering if group therapy could be beneficial for your recovery. You probably understand the necessity of attending individual counseling sessions to help you stay on track. Still, you want to know if group therapy is a necessary addition to your program. Learning more about how group therapy for substance abuse works can help you understand the value it adds to your treatment plan.
As the name suggests, group therapy involves therapy sessions among a group of people. In this case, that group would be your peers in recovery. Group therapy sessions are led by a therapist who starts the session with a different topic each time. Some common topics covered in group therapy for addiction are:
- Preventing relapse when people close to you still use drugs or alcohol
- Dealing with an unsupportive home environment
- Managing stress in healthier ways
- Avoiding addiction triggers
- Handling holidays or celebrations without substance use
- Discovering new hobbies and activities that do not involve substance abuse
The therapist will introduce the session’s topic and provide tips that group members can use to help them maintain their sobriety and cultivate a healthier lifestyle. Each group member will be allowed to participate in the discussion. Many group therapy sessions also allow time for members to bring up any struggles or successes they wish to share.
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse?
You will likely cover some of the same topics in both individual counseling and group therapy. Does this mean there is nothing to gain from group therapy beyond what you will already get from your one-on-one sessions? Not at all. Group therapy offers benefits that are not possible in a setting where you interact only with a therapist. Consider some of the following benefits of group counseling for addiction:
- Being in the company of your peers in recovery reinforces the idea that you are not alone and others can understand what you are going through.
- Group members can share their challenges during recovery, how they dealt with them, what worked, and what did not.
- Working through common problems together in a group setting helps you bond with and feel supported by your peers in recovery.
- Going through therapy in a group can help improve your social skills. The leading therapist will pick up on each member’s particular social struggles and choose session topics accordingly without singling out any one member.
Keep in mind that safety and confidentiality are priorities in group therapy sessions. The therapist will set guidelines and rules for the group that ensures each member feels safe and comfortable expressing themselves. It is expected that members will respect the privacy of their recovery peers and not share their personal stories outside of the group.
Find Support at Midwest Center at Youngstown
When you are ready to overcome addiction for good, enroll in group therapy for substance abuse at Midwest Center at Youngstown. When you participate in our comprehensive addiction treatment programs, you can be sure that you will receive evidence-based, well-rounded treatment that addresses the whole person. Call us today at 844.544.0502 for more information about our group therapy programs.