Group therapy is a widely used option in drug and alcohol treatment. In group therapy, you receive help from a therapist in the company of others with similar recovery needs. Part of the time, your therapist works with you directly. At other times, you actively listen while other participants receive direct help. Time is also set aside for more general interaction and discussion. There are some significant benefits to this group approach to addiction treatment.
Group Therapy Benefits at Crossroads
We regularly use group therapy at Crossroads as part of our substance treatment programs. The therapy also plays a vital role in the treatment of co-occurring mental health issues. In all cases, we coordinate your care with other aspects of your recovery plan. To learn more about our therapy options, call Crossroads today at 877.978.1667.
Common Group Therapy Benefits
1. Learning from Others
If you’re affected by substance or mental health issues, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone. But in reality, millions of people are in similar situations across the country. Group therapy is a reminder of this fact. It gives you the opportunity to:
- Understand your links to others going through the same kinds of experiences
- See yourself through the perspective of other people’s experiences
- Gain personal insights that might not be available in any other way
Group therapy also allows you to learn from your peers who are further along in their recovery.
2. Redeveloping Communication and Social Skills
It’s common for people addicted to drugs or alcohol to experience declines in their social skills. You may consciously withdraw from interactions and social contact. That can be especially true if you have severe addiction symptoms or additional mental health issues.
By its nature, group therapy requires you to move toward interaction and communication. It may be difficult at first. But, as a rule, the rewards of strengthening your social skills outweigh any temporary discomfort. Why? Healthy social connections help set the stage for a return to stable sobriety.
3. Mutual Support
No matter who you are, you need some sort of support to make it through everyday life. Humans are social creatures. We not only rely on each other for material support. We also rely on each other for emotional and psychological support.
If your support network is strong, you generally benefit from increased feelings of wellness and stability. The opposite is also true. In other words, a weak support system can make you feel less stable and healthy.
Damaged support networks are a frequent issue for people affected by addiction. That’s true because the disorder tends to shift your priorities away from social connections. To regain your sobriety, you may need to strengthen your support system in multiple ways. Group therapy can help you get this process started. That’s true because it gives you a chance to:
- Receive support from your peers
- Give support to others
- Begin undoing the self-absorption that often accompanies addiction
Throughout your time in your group therapy, you’ll learn that there are many group therapy benefits. Most importantly, what you learn in group therapy can be applied to other areas of your life.
More Information About the Benefits of Group Therapy at Crossroads
These are just some of the many common benefits of group therapy. Talk to the experts at Crossroads to learn more about the advantages of this form of treatment. We’re happy to explain why the group approach plays a vital role in recovery.
Group therapy is integral to Crossroads’ comprehensive treatment model. Whether you’re in our residential or outpatient programs, it can be an essential element in your success. Call us at 877.978.1667 for more information on our customized services.
