Group therapy for addiction treatment is an essential component of recovery. It allows individuals to connect with others who are going through similar struggles, providing a sense of support and understanding. Group therapy can also provide a safe space for individuals to share their experiences, thoughts, and emotions without fear of judgment.
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is the treatment of substance abuse or mental health issues in a setting that includes two or more individuals along with group therapists who lead the session. Therapy groups meet regularly to discuss their challenges and feelings while supporting and relating to one another. It’s common for individuals to find comfort in group therapies as they engage in a social aspect of substance abuse treatment and feel less alone when sharing similar experiences with peers in their journey to addiction recovery.
During group therapy, group members interact, practicing their communication skills by sharing their issues and concerns. In substance abuse treatment, counseling groups are dependent on group dynamics to assist participants in growing and living up to their potential. For this reason, many find that peer support for an extended period helps them in the recovery program as well as in everyday life following treatment.
Types of Group Therapy
Group therapy is a general term for any therapy aimed at forming symptom reduction and recovery in two or more individuals. There are various models of group sessions that you may experience in drug and alcohol abuse treatment. The following are the types of group therapies used to treat substance use disorders and associated mental health disorders at Malibu Detox:
- Cognitive behavioral group therapy
- DBT groups
- Interpersonal process group therapy
- Experiential groups
- Art therapy groups
- Life skills development groups
- Psychoeducational groups
CBT Groups
Group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that operates on the belief that negative thoughts and behaviors are learned and reinforced over time. To change these behaviors, the person must adopt positive thoughts and behaviors and learn to apply them to difficult situations in the future, such as those that contribute to substance use.
DBT Groups
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) groups focus on teaching skills to help individuals manage difficult emotions, improve relationships and communication, and increase mindfulness. DBT groups typically involve learning skills such as distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.
Interpersonal Process Groups
Interpersonal process groups aim to facilitate healing in group members through the comprehension of psychodynamics (how people function psychologically). With a primary focus on emotional development and unresolved childhood events that led to poor decision-making and harmful coping skills, interpersonal process groups help resolve issues and improve a person’s judgment.
Experiential Groups
Experiential therapy groups are a crucial part of the recovery process at Malibu Detox. These group sessions allow clients to explore their emotions and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Our experiential therapy sessions are designed to complement traditional talk therapy and provide a holistic approach to addiction treatment. By participating in these activities, clients can gain new perspectives, learn coping skills, and build self-awareness – all essential elements for long-term recovery.
Art Therapy Groups
Art therapy sessions provide a space where clients can practice healthy forms of self-expression. This is because art allows clients to tap into their creativity and use it as a way to express themselves. Through painting, drawing, or other forms of art, clients can explore their emotions and thoughts in a non-verbal way.
Psychoeducational Groups
The main focus of a psychoeducational group is to educate and inform participants regarding overall themes of substance abuse, mental health, corresponding behaviors, and the effects of these behaviors. The ultimate goal is to improve self-awareness and provide individuals with the tools necessary for positive change. Psychoeducational groups typically follow a structured curriculum, covering topics such as identifying triggers, developing coping skills, and building healthy communication patterns.
Life Skill Development Groups
Life skills development is about developing the skills necessary for individuals to function in their everyday lives. These skills can include anything from communication and problem solving, to time management and financial responsibility. By participating in life skill development groups, individuals can gain a better understanding of these topics and how they relate to their own lives.
What To Expect in Group Therapy
Participating in therapy through a high-quality behavioral healthcare center, here are some aspects you can expect in a group session:
- Education about the addiction recovery process, substance abuse treatment, relapse prevention, rendering medical advice, and more.
- Help, encouragement, and peer feedback to overcome challenges and sustain addiction recovery goals.
- Allow group members to observe problems others face in recovery and observe their problem-solving techniques.
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms to handle stress without turning to drug abuse.
- Increase structure and a healthy routine in the lives of members.
- Create a sense of positiveness, self-worth, and confidence in the group members.
- Build connections between members that can be used outside of substance abuse treatment for support and motivation.
- Effectively treat multiple people simultaneously with one therapist, offering more immediate access to mental health and drug addiction therapy.
- Employ therapeutic methods in treatment programs (such as challenging negative thoughts and confronting poor decision-making) to positively change behaviors.
The proficient and knowledgeable treatment team at Malibu Detox and Residential Treatment Centers will determine which group treatment practices are best for you based on your individualized substance abuse treatment program. Some treatment options may incorporate various group therapy models during group meetings, meaning they shift from one treatment model to another. Regardless of the group therapy model, there will likely be similar group rules for those who attend group therapy.
The Four Stages of Group Therapy
Group therapy sessions are incorporated into treating substance abuse and mental health conditions in both inpatient and outpatient treatment plans. Under the guidance of a licensed and knowledgeable group therapist, group members participate in a structured or flexible dialogue, usually concentrated on a theme or distinct struggle.
While each group therapy session is set up differently, there are generally four stages of participation and transformation during your time in therapy groups. As you build rapport with the group leader and participants, you will be able to work through each of these stages at your own pace.
Initial Stage: Forming
The formative stage occurs during your first few group sessions as you become oriented to the group process and learn the group rules. As you navigate group dynamics, you may hope to seek approval and acceptance from peers, making it challenging to be vulnerable and share deep issues. Depending on the nature of the therapy group, the group leader may take an active role in directing conversations and have a distinct plan or theme for each session or may encourage a free-form dialogue with periodic interventions.
Transition Stage: Storming
In the storming stage, participants may feel growing anxiety about being vulnerable and sharing their true nature and the difficulties they are facing. Due to growing anxiety, participants may become defensive, frustrated, and angry. Group members are starting to learn about each other’s personality types and communication styles, which can cause conflict, competition, and attention-grabbing. The treatment provider will encourage cohesion amongst group members and affirm any feeling of fear, keeping them from being vulnerable.
Cohesion Stage: Norming
The norming stage is considered the “progressive breakthrough” of the group therapy experience. At this point, the group has developed a sense of cohesion and has grasped how to work together. There is increased listening and a level of support and encouragement that did not exist in the previous stages. Members feel safer sharing controversial topics and life experiences with an expectation that other group members will collaborate and avoid judgment. The therapist may encourage feedback about something that was shared and acceptance of different viewpoints.
Understanding Stage: Adjourning
The adjourning stage will occur at varying rates as each participant begins to finish their time in treatment. Group therapy sessions that involve an adjournment will often foster reflection on the relationships built and allow participants to share words of wisdom and aspirations for the adjourning group member.
Benefits of Group Therapy Sessions for Addiction Treatment
The life-changing addiction treatment programs at Malibu Detox can include any number of services, including various types of therapies (individual and group therapy based). Clients may benefit from one kind of therapy over another; others may succeed in recovery by utilizing a mixture of addiction treatment options. While individual therapy involves a one-on-one approach to treatment, some people benefit more from group therapy services, and many benefit from using both individual and group therapy types. There are many benefits of group therapy, which can be a rewarding process for all involved:
Connection and Supportive Environment
Group therapy prevents the feeling of isolation by providing a space for conversation, encouragement, and support with other group members. The therapist will create prompts to allow participants to bond over shared issues or interests and allow collaborative problem-solving and support between group members.
New Perspectives
When sharing problems and challenges in a group therapy setting, members may be encouraged to actively listen and provide feedback if asked. These group discussions can provide insight and new perspectives on a problem, keeping participants from stagnating or getting “tunnel vision” towards a specific challenge in their life.
Improved Communication Skills
Group therapy helps bolster communication skills as it requires members to share their thoughts on conversation topics facilitated by a therapist. After sharing, members are encouraged to actively listen and give space for other members to share. If there is any confusion or need for clarification about something that was shared, there may be a prompt or encouragement for the person speaking to be clearer in their communication and find a new way to describe what was shared.
Empathy Building
Who Benefits from Group Therapy for Addiction Treatment?
Group therapy is a relevant treatment method for various substance use disorders and mental health conditions. This includes but is not limited to:
- Substance Abuse Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chronic Stress
- Depressive Disorders
- Personality and Mood Disorders
- Panic Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Along with individual therapy, family counseling, and medication-assisted treatment, group therapy can be an important part of effectively treating substance abuse disorders and mental health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Group Therapy
The general group therapy size will vary, depending on the type of addiction treatment incorporated, among other factors. For example, couples therapy generally consists of only two clients. On the other hand, many groups for substance abuse and mental health treatment will have sizes ranging between 5-20 individuals and one or more therapists facilitating the group.
Unlike individual therapy, which involves a licensed therapist and patient in a one-on-one setting, group therapy for addiction treatment is a form of communal talk therapy in which one or more therapists work with a group of individuals in the substance use recovery process. Group therapy contains a group of people who share something in common, such as a particular condition or shared life experience.
Many are surprised to discover that 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are not considered group therapy. Despite taking place in a group setting, most twelve-step programs and alternative recovery meetings utilize a self-help approach. In doing so, these support groups typically employ peer leaders or have a collective approach to healing. As a result, the one component they lack is a professional facilitator. While self-help groups greatly assist people struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, they are not to be confused with a professional group therapy option. Alternatively, group therapy utilizes the trained expertise of substance abuse and mental health professionals to lead treatment groups.
Group Therapy at Malibu Detox
Our four drug and alcohol rehab centers located in Malibu and Los Angeles provide a beautiful, serene, and discreet environment to help individuals heal. It can be challenging to begin addiction treatment in a harmful environment with the presence of drugs and alcohol around. It can often take a new location with the help of licensed treatment specialists to uncover triggers, adapt positive coping skills, and heal from trauma and challenging past experiences.
Our dual diagnosis treatment centers in California offer comprehensive treatment modalities, such as group therapy and individual therapy facilitated by licensed and knowledgeable therapists. Our treatment programs serve as a catalyst for meaningful transformations, ultimately helping individuals achieve sustainable, long-term health and recovery.
Take the Next Step Today With Malibu Detox
If you are interested in attending group therapy or are uncertain if it’s the right treatment method, this can be explored with a treatment provider at Malibu Detox before committing to treatment. Depending on your individual treatment program, group psychotherapy may be conducted alongside individual therapy.
Contact our Malibu, California, drug and alcohol rehab and detox center today to discuss your personalized addiction treatment plan. We accept most major and private insurance plans and will work with you to navigate your coverage to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Our admissions staff looks forward to speaking with you.
