Group Therapy for Substance Abuse

This type focuses on identifying distorted or erroneous ideas and thoughts relevant to substance abuse, recovery, and staying sober. Many people go through detox and rehab without really understanding that some of their notions about treatment could be wrong, and this could lead to disenchantment or even failure.

This type centers around the interpersonal relationships of the patient and how they view and react to social interactions. They could have been fine socially before they became dependent on substances, but it all changed after they got hooked. This type seeks to fix these notions.

This type relies on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), where a person’s perception of things could dictate how they react to certain things. In the case of drug abuse rehabilitation, the patients learn that there are better coping mechanisms they could adapt when faced with the situations that led them to substance abuse.

Apart from being used to treat people with mental disorders and developmental disabilities, this type seeks to furnish the patient with learning something creative to steer them away from thoughts relating to drug abuse.

Interestingly, even people who have experienced mental damage or trauma from prolonged drug abuse still exhibit some form of artistic creativity, and this type of group therapy allows them to express it.

This type extends to not only people with substance abuse issues but also to others who experience behavioral problems as well, such as anger management. Support groups offer the patient a venue where they could open up and share with people who may have similar troubles and experiences. This is quite effective as people react to therapy better knowing they are not alone in what they are going through.

Being able to hear from others who went through similar troubles and circumstances removes the notion that a person suffers alone. It is that though they are unique in their struggle that makes it even harder for the person.

This gives hope by encouraging them to continue with the rehab treatment and solidifying their determination to see it through to the end.

Going through difficulties alone is extremely troubling. This creates hopelessness and frustration, both of which could tip someone trying to recover right over into a relapse.

By offering a way to connect with others, a patient in recovery is given the benefit of human contact and prepares them for full social reintegration outside of the circle of the group therapy.

Many people undergoing therapy often discover skills and abilities they did not think they had or could do. In many cases, therapy offers an unhindered opportunity for self-improvement that they would not find on their own.

For some, this self-discovery becomes the focal point where they are inspired to be truly free of substance dependence, or even of dependence on anything other than themselves.

A truly lamentable fact about some recovering substance abusers is that they are truly alone. Either they have lost whatever family they had because of their bad habit, or they lost the people they love and it drove them to develop the bad habit.

Whichever the case, the need to feel forgiveness could be filled through the group therapy sessions. They learn to purge their emotions of the guilt and pain they feel, and they get to hear others say that everything will be ok.

Admission and acceptance are key factors in addiction group therapy. People with substance abuse issues often lie to support their habit, until lying became almost second nature, even when there was no need to.

Everyone participating in the therapy is expected to be honest about what they feel, and what they are going through, to better arrive at the needed understanding and realizations relevant to recovery.

If anything else, recrimination and judgment have no place in therapy. There was a mistake at one point, and it led to the addiction. That part is done, all that needs to be sorted in sessions is how one feels about it and how they are dealing with it.

Sharing is essential because it is a way to get the troubles off one’s chest, and once it is out, acceptance could begin alongside the healing.

Forgiveness and acceptance don’t always happen overnight. For some, it doesn’t even happen for years. This is because addiction is a deeply moving and disturbing thing to go through, destroying large portions of a person’s life, including relationships that they need.

Acceptance often triggers a breakdown, where all the emotions come flooding out. This, however, is a good thing, as keeping it all bottled up is not just debilitating, but also dangerous. Once these things are purged, the breakthrough could commence and lead to a true and lasting recovery.

Although not everyone in the group is expected to bond with each other, there is a need for mutual respect and acceptance. This is developed over time as everyone listens and relates with each other in the group.

Some members of the group often find a commonality or a point of relation where they resonate well with others. This is often where friendships start, as each member learns to support the other in different ways.