Group Therapy for Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts
IT’S NOT “JUST THERAPY.” IT’S A STRATEGIC AND INTENTIONAL TRANSFORMATION.
Counseling and therapeutic services promote personal wellness and lifelong recovery. Through guided internal processing and practical coping skill development, clients are empowered to overcome personal challenges and create for themselves the life they truly wish to lead.
At Refresh Recovery, we’ve seen clients safely navigate mental health and substance use disorders time and time again. Professional counseling and therapy are often the catalysts you need to sustain lasting recovery and personal renewal. Start here.
ENJOY PEER SUPPORT FROM GOAL-ALIGNED PARTNERS IN GROUP THERAPY
You or your loved one will gain valuable insights, form lasting relationships, and build a network of supportive peers who can remain in your orbit long after treatment ends. It takes more than a village, it requires a common purpose. Group therapy offers a secure forum to leverage the benefits of a common purpose.
WHAT IS GROUP THERAPY?
A common method for substance use disorder treatment, group therapy includes a collection of several people involved in recovery treatment from a substance use disorder. In a professional setting, at least one trained clinician leads the group, and 6 to 12 others may participate.[1] These sessions may be daily, weekly, or held a few times per week, depending on the treatment program.
The primary objective is to help you or your loved one understand and overcome triggers factoring into your substance use and actively engage in relapse prevention strategies.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND GROUP THERAPY?
Many people find empowerment within a group of their peers, knowing that others are in the same situation. Problem-solving, learning interpersonal skills, and improved communication skills are three often cited outcomes of this type of mental health therapy.[2]
Yet, group therapy isn’t the right option for everyone. Your treatment provider considers your treatment preferences, unique needs, emotional stability, and recovery stage before placing you in this type of therapy. The reasoning is evidence-based, as some studies have shown specific groups of people, such as adolescents and women, need special consideration before placement.[3] [5]
BEGIN YOUR SUPPORTED RECOVERY WITH GROUP THERAPY AT OUR UPSCALE REHAB CENTER IN MASSACHUSETTS
WHAT HAPPENS IN GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS?
In group therapy sessions for substance use disorder, individuals come together to support each other in their recovery journey. One or more therapists lead the group in discussions and activities focusing on a range of topics, including triggers for substance use, coping strategies, and the challenges of maintaining sobriety. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and offer each other guidance and support.
The therapist may incorporate behavioral techniques and evidence-based practices, like cognitive behavioral therapy or motivational interviewing, to help the individuals develop the skills and motivation needed for sustained recovery. They also guide discussions about the impact substance use has on relationships and provide resources for addressing related issues, such as trauma or co-occurring mental health disorders.
Overall, group therapy for substance use disorder provides a safe and supportive environment where you or your loved one can share struggles and progress, gain a sense of belonging, and receive encouragement and accountability in recovery.
Various Group Therapy Formats
Your treatment program may use one of these common group therapy formats or a combination to provide the best outcome.[4]
- Behavioral therapy groups: CBT addresses and restructures underlying thinking patterns and actions that may lead to substance use.
- Psychoeducational groups: Learn about and understand substance use and misuse.
- Skills development groups: Learn necessary coping and abstinence skills to sustain recovery.
- Group counseling: Not strictly therapy, group counseling is a form of a group discussion led by a group leader with the purpose of bringing together goal-aligned people to support one another as they pursue behavioral change and sobriety.
- Family therapy: Recovery is a family affair. Family therapy helps improve interpersonal skills and communication and improves relational engagement.
- Family support groups: Designed for family member support, these groups help spouses, children, parents, and siblings navigate a loved one’s substance use challenges.
Stages Of Group Therapy
In most instances, group therapy occurs in three stages.
- Beginning: You and others participate in becoming familiar with the process and understanding the overall rules and goals for the group.
- Middle: Usually, most of your time in group therapy is spent in the middle phase. The therapist or group leader oversees attendees as your practice patterns to modify thoughts and behaviors and progress toward treatment goals.
- Ending: The ending allows participants to recognize the accomplishments they’ve made and address any anxiety or sadness group members have about the group coming to an end.
BENEFITS OF GROUP THERAPY
Group therapy offers a wide variety of benefits, including:
- Routine and structure for group members
- A sense of belief, optimism, and self-worth in participants;
- Building relationships with other members that can carry over into other areas of life;
- Empowering participants with encouragement and feedback;
- Opportunities to see issues others have had in recovery and learn from them;
- Motivation and support from peers to maintain recovery goals;
- Further education about the recovery process;
- Learning therapeutic tools, such as confronting poor decision-making and questioning irrational beliefs, is needed to modify behavior; and Teaching effective coping skills to manage everyday stressors and triggers instead of turning to substance use.
Learning
Group Therapy Vs. Individual Therapy: Which One Do I Need?
Ultimately, the application of group and individual therapy sessions will be a personalized option based on your individual needs, preferences, and treatment goals. Our clinical team will determine which type is most appropriate for you and develop a treatment plan that meets your needs.
General considerations that may help you decide which is best for you include:
- Personal comfort level: Some people prefer the privacy and intimacy of individual therapy, while others find the group dynamic of a group setting more appealing and supportive.
- Nature of your concerns: Group therapy can be especially effective for issues that are social or relational in nature, such as addiction, relationship problems, or shyness. Individual therapy may be more appropriate for more personal or sensitive issues, such as trauma, depression, or anxiety.
- Goals for treatment: Individual therapy may be more effective if your primary goal is to work through specific issues. If your goal is to gain a sense of community and support, group therapy may be a better fit.
- Cost: Group therapy can be less expensive than individual therapy offering a reduction in expenses throughout different stages of recovery.
Learning
Group Therapy Vs. Support Groups: What’s The Difference?
Both are forms of group-based interventions that offer support and guidance for people facing similar challenges with substance use. However, there are key differences between the two:
- Leadership: Group therapy is led by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist or social worker, who is trained in providing psychotherapy. Support groups are typically led by a facilitator who may or may not have professional training, and the focus is often more on peer support and sharing experiences.
- Structure: Group therapy follows a structured and goal-oriented format, with specific topics and activities designed to help group members work through issues and make progress in recovery. Support groups are more loosely structured, with a focus on free-flowing discussion and support.
- Focus: Group therapy addresses specific mental health or substance use issues and helps individuals progress in recovery. Support groups often focus on providing emotional support, encouragement, and a sense of community for individuals facing similar challenges.
- Confidentiality: Group therapy sessions are confidential, with strict rules in place to protect the privacy of participants. Support groups may have varying levels of confidentiality, depending on the group’s guidelines and culture.
A 12-step program is a commonly cited example of a support group. Although these programs offer online and in-person options and are more readily available, they don’t address the physical side of recovery, such as detox and withdrawal symptoms, nor co-occurring mental and physical health issues.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY
Our Partial Hospitalization Program is held Monday through Friday for those seeking an enhanced level of support each day. Three levels of Intensive Outpatient Programs work around daytime and evening hours, allowing for ultimate flexibility. Standard outpatient treatment allows you or your loved one to meet with your therapist at the treatment center each week while maintaining the responsibilities of everyday life.
Wherever you are in your recovery journey, we can help you maintain your course.
WHY CHOOSE REFRESH RECOVERY
INDIVIDUALIZED CARE PLANS
FOUNDATIONAL SUPPORT FOR LIFELONG RECOVERY
TREATMENT FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF DISORDERS
MORE THAN A TREATMENT CENTER: WE’RE YOUR RECOVERY PARTNER
Many of our supportive staff have been right where you are and know the strength it takes to maintain a lasting recovery, and they’re here to help in every step.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GROUP THERAPY
How effective is group therapy for substance abuse?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of group therapy for addiction?
What is the role of family therapy in addiction treatment?
Sources
[2] [4] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). 1 groups and substance abuse treatment – NCBI bookshelf. Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64223/
[3] Quick guide for clinicians based on tip 41, substance abuse treatment … Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Retrieved February 6, 2023, from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma15-4024.pdf
[5] National Institute of Health. (2014, January). Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/podat_1.pdf
Experience Comprehensive Healing with Our Evidence-Based Therapies at Refresh Recovery
At Refresh Recovery, we offer evidence-based therapies that can help you heal from substance use and mental health issues.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is a talk therapy similar to CBT. However, DBT goes a layer deeper and focuses more on client safety and self-acceptance. This process helps establish greater emotional control and equips you to regulate the internal harmful or unhealthy patterns that lead to undesirable behaviors.
MEDICATION-ASSISTED THERAPY (MAT)
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI)
TRAUMA-INFORMED TREATMENT
GROUP THERAPY
Working closely with a group of like-minded and goal-oriented individuals is a critical recovery component. It allows each client to share safely, learn from their peers, and practice their coping skills. Each session is guided by a qualified and experienced moderator.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
At Refresh Recovery, we’re committed to seeing each client as a unique individual. This requires a customized approach to therapeutic interventions for each client.
Through psychotherapy or talk therapy, our goal is to help individuals better understand themselves and how they process experiences and to increase their ability to cope with their internal processes.