How To Succeed In Group Therapy For Addiction

There are many types of therapy for substance use disorder treatment, such as behavioral therapy, family therapy, and holistic therapy. Group therapy for addiction is often used in addiction treatment facilities to garner a sense of community among clients while helping them improve their communication skills and better face stress in everyday life. Citing recent research published in The American Journal of Psychotherapy, the American Psychological Association (APA) states that group therapy is at least as effective as individual therapy, and sometimes more effective, and more efficient.

Below, we’ll explore ways to succeed in group therapy for addiction.

Check The Therapist’s Credentials

The effectiveness of a group therapy session will always begin with the facilitator. This licensed, trained mental health professional will anchor a group’s session toward a beneficial experience for all involved. It is this professional who marks perhaps the biggest distinction between group therapy and peer support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which are peer-led.

Look for the following from a group therapist:

• master’s-level/graduate degree
• therapy license
• years of experience in the substance abuse treatment field

If you or your loved one requires a specific treatment focus, such as recovery for veterans, LGBTQ+ people, or people with a co-occurring mental health disorder, look for a therapist with that experience. Also consider looking online for positive reviews from past clients.

Most professional addiction treatment centers state that they only employ licensed clinicians, but you can call to make sure.

Choose The Right Group

Group therapy can look very different depending on the type of group you choose to be a part of. Different factors will be important for different people. For example, is it important to you that the participants are facing addictions that involve the same substance(s) as yours does? How many people will be in the group? Would you like them to be approximately the same age as you? What about LGBTQ+ status, military experience, or being a parent?

Other factors to consider include the therapy type and practical factors such as when the group meets.

Therapy Type

There are many types of group therapy to consider, some of which are evidence-based, or backed by science to be effective, and others that take a holistic-healing approach.

Types of group therapy include:

• psychotherapy (“talk therapy”)
• behavioral therapy
• adventure therapy
• art therapy
• mindfulness therapy

Practical Factors

Other, more practical factors to consider are when the group meets and the group’s format. Some groups ask that everyone share, while others require less involvement. Some groups are “open,” meaning that anyone can join at any time, while others are “closed,” meaning that the specific number of sessions, e.g. 12 weeks, start and end with the same set group of people.

If you will be participating in addiction group therapy at a rehab center, your care team can help match you with the appropriate group therapies.

Prepare For The First Session

Preparing for the first group therapy session involves both mental and emotional readiness. You can start by familiarizing yourself with the group’s structure, rules, and expectations, which may be provided through a phone call, text, or email with the facilitator. This is also a good time to get any questions answered so that you feel prepared.

Like anything new, the first session may seem intimidating, but know that it’s okay to feel a little uncomfortable. After a couple of sessions, you may find yourself starting to open up to the experience.

Participate

All types of therapy ask for a healthy amount of active participation. However, participation may look different depending on the type of therapy. For example, individual therapy offers a lot of space for the client to speak, while sound therapy may ask the client or clients not to speak at all.

Still, one of the main ingredients for success in any type of therapy, including group therapy, is active participation. Active participation means being engaged in the session. When it comes to group therapy, this starts with a healthy balance between active listening and sharing.

Due to the causes and effects of substance use disorders (SUD), these basic communication skills may weaken or not be developed fully. People with long histories of alcohol or drug abuse may turn conversations into transactions, meaning that they look at every interaction as a means to get what they need, because of the nature of addiction. Group therapy gives participants a chance to practice listening and sharing in a facilitated, safe environment, providing perspective and opportunities for accountability.

Active Listening

Perhaps the most important aspect of group therapy is listening to the facilitator and other participants. Active listening is not just hearing what someone is saying. It involves striving to fully focus on and relate to the speaker’s message, encouraging empathy and understanding.

Active listening involves the following:

• not interrupting
• making eye contact
• showing non-verbal cues, like nodding

It also could look like asking clarifying questions and reflecting what you’ve heard. Active listening also means learning how to listen when you may not agree with what is being said, without becoming defensive or closed off.

According to the U.S. Institute of Peace, active listening improves mutual understanding while increasing problem-solving skills, both of which are essential for healthy relationships and improved well-being. Forming healthy relationships, and repairing damaged relationships, is often a key step in addiction recovery.

Active Sharing

The other side of active participation is active sharing. While some people have trouble listening, other people may face anxiety over the idea of sharing in front of others. However, even more extroverted people may not be the best communicators.

Active sharing in group therapy involves openly and honestly discussing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to addiction and recovery. It requires self-reflection and the courage to be vulnerable, allowing others to understand your journey. It is also important to share constructively, focusing on your personal experiences without dominating the conversation or interrupting others. By sharing in this way, participants contribute to the collective healing process, gain new perspectives, and receive valuable feedback and encouragement.

For some, active sharing may mean sharing with more intention, while for others it may mean sharing more honestly.

Contribute To An Environment Of Safety And Respect

As a group therapy participant, you can contribute to a safe space where all participants feel respected and valued. You can help accomplish this by allowing others to speak without interruption and not judging them. By being consistent in your attendance and participation, you can show commitment, reliability, and respect.

A successful group therapy community means participants can say what they need to say in order to grow without feeling like they’ll be judged, admonished, or ridiculed. It also means they can expect to receive constructive, honest, and clear criticism and encouragement.

Set Personal Goals

Before beginning group therapy, determine what you want to get out of it. In addition to overcoming addiction, perhaps you’d like to become a better partner or friend, learn how to identify or talk about your feelings, or discover how to set healthy boundaries.

You can write down your personal goals in a journal, then later reflect on how a session may have helped you reach that goal. You may also share goals with the group in the first session so they can help you stay accountable. You will usually find others with the same goal as you. Break down big goals into smaller, actionable steps to maintain motivation and track progress. If you feel you are making progress with your goal, share this with the group so you can be celebrated and feel proud of your accomplishment. This can also encourage others in the group.

Be Supportive Of Other Participants

Focusing only on your own goals and growth in group therapy for addiction robs you of the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of other participants. By witnessing and celebrating the successes your peers are having, you’ll in turn develop empathy, love, and compassion.

You can support fellow participants by:

• praising their accomplishments with enthusiasm
• checking up on them before and after the session
• asking their opinion on what you shared (if appropriate and allowed in the group’s format)
• encouraging them to share
• not interrupting, making fun of, or dismissing them
• offering them a tissue if feeling emotional
• offering encouragement if a relapse takes place

It can be easy to focus only on personal goals in therapy, which is the ultimate goal, but for many people, learning how to be happy for others helps with long-term sobriety.

Utilizing The Tools Learned In Group Therapy For Addiction

Group therapy usually has a fixed start and end date, which may correspond with a treatment program at a rehab center. You will soon find yourself in situations outside of this setting where you can apply the skills you’ve learned.

Skills learned in addiction group therapy include:

• self-awareness
• accountability
• self-confidence
• stress management
• communication skills
• coping skills

If you find yourself stumbling, this doesn’t mean that you have failed. Consider reconnecting with your therapist or pursuing continued group therapy sessions to keep on strengthening your new skills.

Begin Treatment At Spring Hill

If you or a loved one is interested in learning if Spring Hill Recovery Center is the right addiction treatment center for you, please call us today. We are happy to answer all of your questions.