Group therapy offers a variety of benefits that contribute to its effectiveness as an evidence-based treatment modality.
- Emotional Support
Each person has an opportunity to share his or her experiences with others in the group who can relate to their struggles with addiction. Sharing with like-minded individuals helps to reduce feelings of isolation or shame.
All members offer emotional support and understanding in a manner that creates a safe place for everyone to express his or her feelings.
- Diverse Perspectives
Being exposed to different viewpoints and experiences allows individuals to gain a fresh insight into their own addiction and recovery.
Seeing others advance through recovery and make positive lifestyle changes can be an inspiring and motivating force for change.
- Coping Strategy Development
Group therapy improves interpersonal and communication skills, which are necessary for maintaining healthy relationships.
Members within the group learn and share coping strategies to manage cravings and triggers that will prevent a relapse now and in the future.
- Accountability
Group members often hold each other accountable for recovery goals to further reduce the risk of relapse. Positive peer pressure is an excellent tool for encouraging others to stay on the path to recovery.
- Reduced Isolation
Many people with addiction issues isolate from others, but group therapy provides a positive social support system that combats isolation associated with substance abuse.
Daily participation in a supportive environment prepares individuals for a healthy and sober life after treatment.
- Learning from Others’ Mistakes
Learning about successes and failures from others who are also in recovery can have a profound impact on everyone in the group.
Most people can relate to hearing about why a person relapsed and how they got back on track better than reading it in a book or hearing it in a lecture.
Sharing personal experiences about addiction, cravings, triggers, and relapse from peers is a persuasive way to help others avoid the same mistakes and have the same successes.
- Increased Self-Awareness
Group therapy encourages self-reflection through the immediate feedback gained from others in the group, in addition to the therapist leading the group.
Feedback from others is helpful for all members of the group to identify recurring patterns in their behavior and emotions, which leads to personal growth and increased self-awareness.
- Building Healthy Relationships
Addiction is known to strain relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Group therapy helps individuals develop healthier relationship-building skills and restore a sense of trust to repair previous relationships.
- Continued Support
Summit Malibu residents attend structured group therapy sessions every day while in our care. This provides a framework for meeting regularly and interacting with others that is beneficial for continued support after they leave our facility.
Experiencing the value of group therapy and how to get the most out of it is extremely useful after formal treatment ends. Most people attend aftercare support groups like AA, Smart Recovery, and others to maintain recovery and prevent relapse.
