There are many forms of treatment for substance use disorder—each one with its strengths, others with weaknesses. However, the treatment approaches aren’t necessarily bad practices. What makes treatment practice strong or weak is the treatment’s relevancy to the individual in rehab. For example, group therapy could be a better choice for a person than individual therapy.
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What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves group counseling and interpersonal interaction to help treat substance use disorders. Who joins you in group therapy? There’s a facilitator like a counselor or a clinician, and people who struggle with substance abuse disorder too.
Group psychotherapy can be an effective treatment option for people who struggle with addiction, as it can provide support and guidance to others facing similar challenges. Group therapy can help people learn coping and problem-solving skills and offer a sense of community and social support.
What Responsibilities Do Therapists Have in Group Therapy Settings?
In group therapy, the therapist plays a vital role in interpersonal interaction and group counseling to treat substance use disorders. Group therapists have the skills, experience, and knowledge that effectively ensure group therapy is timely and productive.
The group therapist will ensure the sessions run smoothly. Group cohesiveness is achieved and is positively constructive for everyone involved. The therapist can identify specific categories and behaviors during the group therapy setting. Overall, the therapist will encourage the participation of all the group members.
How Does Group Therapy Work?
Group therapy is done with multiple people in attendance and is quite sporadic in nature. Those participating sit in a circle or semi-circle so that everybody can see one another. They take turns discussing thoughts and feelings or discussions led by the moderator.
People participating in group therapy share similar experiences, issues, journeys, or whatever they want to get off their chest. Hopefully, they will establish harmonious interpersonal relationships. Sometimes, just talking about your feelings, even to strangers, can make you feel a sense of belongingness in a community with people who can relate to you.
What Types of Group Therapy Exist?
Many different types of group therapies exist, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a group treatment setting, which helps patients change their thinking patterns and behaviors associated with substance abuse.
There is also 12-step group therapy, which is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are also experiential group therapies, which focus on helping patients process and understand their emotions. Not only are group therapies for people with substance abuse disorder, but for those who need mental health care.
What Is the Difference Between Support Groups and Group Therapy?
Support groups are typically peer-led, while a therapist usually leads group therapy. In group therapy, patients may discuss their experiences and feelings in a more structured setting. They may also be given assignments or exercises to do outside of group sessions. In both interventions, social skills and building up self-esteem are expected outcomes.
What is the Difference Between Individual Therapy and Group Therapy?
Group therapy differs from individual therapy because it involves group counseling and interpersonal interaction. This can benefit patients as it can help them feel less alone and more supported. When people think they’re not alone in their struggles, it helps boost their morale so they can successfully overcome their addiction.
Group therapy typically lasts for a shorter amount of time than individual therapy. This is because group therapy focuses on a specific issue or goal, and the group members work together to achieve that. The length of therapy can vary depending on the issue being addressed, but it is typically shorter than individual therapy.
Individual therapy is a bit more private and allows those participating to receive as much attention and care as needed. Nobody from a group is splitting time with them, so they can focus more on personal growth. This is ideal for those who do not do well in group settings or need a more personal form of care.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse
Some benefits of group therapy include improved mental health, increased social support, and decreased substance abuse. Group therapy can also help patients to learn new coping skills and learn how to manage triggers.
Group therapy can provide patients with help from others who are facing similar challenges. It can also help them to change their thinking patterns and behaviors associated with substance abuse. Group therapy can benefit people who struggle with addiction, mental health disorders, or shared trauma.
Challenges of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse
While group therapy can be an effective treatment option, there are also some challenges that patients may face. These challenges can include feeling uncomfortable sharing personal information with a group of people, feeling like you are not making progress, and feeling like you are not being heard.
If this is the case, talk to the group’s moderator and express your concerns. Perhaps the group dynamic is not suited for you. Or that social anxiety is something you’re struggling with. You may be recommended to focus on an in-person one-on-one session with a psychotherapist.
Why Is Individualized Care Important?
Regarding addiction treatment, group therapy is often considered the gold standard. And for a good reason: the effectiveness of group therapy is proven helpful in providing support and accountability for those in recovery.
But what if you’re not ready for group therapy? What if you’re still struggling with shame, guilt, and isolation? Individualized care can provide the personalized attention and support you need to heal from addiction.
Individualized care means that your treatment plan is tailored specifically to your needs. This could include one-on-one therapy, medication management, or alternative therapies like yoga or acupuncture. The goal is to meet you where you’re at and help you move forward in your recovery.
Are There Other Forms of Treatment Available?
There are a plethora of addiction treatment programs and resources at Illinois Recovery Center. We believe that there is no one-size-fits-all method to addiction recovery. Everybody who struggles with a mental health disorder needs treatment that is responsive to their unique needs.
Group therapy is a form of care that might do really well for some, but others may require something completely different. Some other forms of treatment include the following:
- Inpatient residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Outpatient treatment
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Medical Detox
Group Therapy for Substance Abuse at Illinois Recovery Center
Group therapy is a method of care that allows those without an inclination towards more private individual-focused care to excel in their recovery. This is a chief capstone of sorts at Illinois Recovery Center. Each person who walks through our facility is going through their own struggles.
Ultimately, they just need help. What’s important is that we’re caring for them in ways that are tailored to their unique needs. Please . Contact us if you or a loved one want to learn more. Our team of experienced mental health professionals is here to help you start and finish your way to sobriety.
