How Group Therapy Can Help in Recovery

Group therapy is not a new form of therapy. People have been gathering in groups for years to support each other and listen to one another. Group therapy can be used for all sorts of reasons. Some examples include utilizing social support to overcome the effects of grief, depression, anxiety, and especially substance use disorder (SUD).

If you are in recovery from addiction and are looking to add to your treatment program, group therapy sessions such as those offered by Alter Wellness Care are a terrific addition to your plan. Group therapy may not be for everyone. However, the support you gain from your peers could be what you need to continue your recovery.

What Is Group Therapy?

Led by a licensed professional mental health counselor, group therapy is a place for people experiencing the same affliction. They can come together and share their experiences with one another. It is intended to be a supportive environment where you can learn from others. You can also learn interpersonal skills and skills to help you cope and manage your symptoms.

Staying sober isn’t always easy. That’s one of the main reasons group therapy works for so many people experiencing recovery. They can share with their peers their individual experiences while getting feedback and different perspectives on how to cope.

Group therapy is therapy provided by many clinics. Alter Wellness Care offers different treatment options if you are interested in joining a therapy group. There are various different types of group therapies. Knowing what options are available can be instrumental for your recovery journey.

General Support Group Therapy

Support groups are the kind of group therapy sessions that provide support and care to their members. It also teaches them interpersonal skills during group discussions. This model helps problem-solve those areas that need to be most addressed. 

For example, if you are experiencing triggers in your life that lead to you substance abuse and possibly relapse, a support group can teach you the skills to manage these feelings. They can also help you learn through shared experiences how to overcome these triggers. 

Support group therapy works through participant collaboration. Therefore, if you feel that listening to others’ experiences and learning from them will help you, this may be a good option to add to your treatment program. Collaboration with others can be crucial in helping you manage your most severe triggers.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Groups

When it comes to taking group therapy based on challenging faulty thinking and beliefs that no longer serve you, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) could work for you. CBT teaches you the skills necessary to manage your addiction while also addressing underlying conditions. 

These underlying conditions, such as co-occurring mental health disorders, could be making your recovery harder. By addressing your thoughts and beliefs that lead to detrimental emotions, you can begin to understand and overcome your triggers.

CBT group therapy has been shown to be effective throughout a person’s recovery. This is because it teaches you the skills to cope and manage your triggers and symptoms in a healthy way.

The main strategies in CBT include:

• Behavioral activation
• Collaboration
• Problem-solving

This strategy teaches you how to address the thoughts that cause you emotional distress. CBT group therapy can be a great option if you would like to work with others as you can relate to what they are going through. 

Interpersonal Process Groups

If addressing your past and or past traumas sounds like it could benefit you, interpersonal process groups may be a great fit. This kind of group dives deep into both your relationship with yourself and those around you. The licensed therapist will help members with how they have developed emotionally.

This means that the therapist will dive deep into your past and childhood concerns that may lead to impulsive tendencies and poor decision-making. Interpersonal process groups are an effective way of helping you on your road to recovery. 

The group can help you recreate your past so you can learn about what triggered you into substance use. They are beneficial to those who may not understand why they take substances and find it difficult to continue their sobriety.

What Type of Group Will Benefit Me?

The road to recovery is never usually a short one. It can take months, if not years, to fully recover from addiction. However, taking it day-by-day can help you manage your triggers and symptoms much better. Continuing that determination to stay sober and get the help you need is a big accomplishment.

Talking to your therapist first before going into group therapy is a good idea if you are having doubts about what type of group will be best for you. A professional can help you determine if support groups, such as the ones mentioned above, can help you.

Working together with a therapist, you can then create a treatment plan that works best for you. Each individual will have their own path, and there is no right way to go about recovery. However, you are not alone, and there is help out there if you are ready to live a healthier and fuller life. 

The road to recovery is paved with twists and turns. However, you don’t have to take this path alone. Our outpatient programs are designed specifically to help those in recovery and those battling mental disorders or both. Group therapy, including CBT and other support groups, can help you learn the skills necessary to cope with and manage your triggers and symptoms. Our team of medical professionals is here to help you every step of the way. To gain more information on our programs and how you can be a part of a group therapy session, call Alter Wellness Care at (866) 311-3510. Don’t go through recovery alone. We are here to help you live a better life.