Substance Abuse Treatment: Five Benefits Of Substance Use Group Therapy
If you are living with a substance use disorder (SUD), you are not alone: substance use disorder is very common, affecting more than 40 million Americans aged 12 or older within one year, based on a 2020 survey. Substance use disorders are complex conditions that involve the problematic use of a substance or substances that lead to an inability to control the use of that substance. Someone with a substance use disorder may continue using the substance despite the harm it causes to their life.
However, SUDs can be effectively treated through a mixture of approaches that may include individual therapy, group therapy, and medication. In this article, we'll explore group therapy and the five benefits of this particular treatment option for SUDs.
Substance use and mental health
Several factors may play into the development of a substance use disorder. Studies have found that genetic factors may account for around 40 to 60% of a person's risk of developing any substance use disorder. Environmental factors and mental health disorders may also increase your risk.
For people who are experiencing both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, it is often best to treat both at the same time. Therapy is one avenue to do so. Effective therapy options may include:
Effective therapy options
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Assertive community treatment
- Therapeutic communities
- Contingency management
- Group therapy.
Group therapy for substance use
Group therapy is a common way that group treatment for SUD is delivered. In substance use group therapy, a small number of people, usually between five and 15, participate in therapy sessions facilitated by a licensed mental health provider. The therapist will likely set goals for the group and establish a treatment timeline. This type of therapy may occur in a medical center, hospital, mental health clinic, or in-person practice setting.
Group therapy may be open or closed. In open groups, new members can join at any time as long as the group isn't at capacity. While this makes it easier to find a new group, it can make it more difficult to be comfortable with other members who may come and go at their leisure. In closed groups, typically, all members remain in the group from start to finish. This can build camaraderie and trust but also require a longer wait if all closed groups are unavailable.
Five benefits of substance use group therapy
Several studies confirm that group therapy is effective in treating substance use disorder. The most effective groups often develop a common sense of purpose and allow members to interact meaningfully with their peers. Some programs also incorporate contingency management, a strategy that reinforces positive behaviors by providing incentives for progress in recovery. In doing so, members can experience a number of benefits from this therapy approach.
1. Substance treatment support and understanding
Although you may have the support of your friends and family as you begin treatment, they may not have a clear understanding of what you're experiencing. In group therapy, everyone is going through something similar. Substance use groups may be for anyone with a substance use disorder or may be limited to people experiencing difficulties with specific substances, such as alcohol or illicit drugs. Regardless, you're surrounded by people who can closely identify with what you are experiencing. Because it's a form of therapy, you'll also experience support and understanding from your mental health provider in this setting.
2. Accountability
A larger number of people who know about your substance use disorder can also mean there are more people to help hold you accountable to your goals. In addition, people experiencing a similar substance use disorder may have unique tips and approaches that might try to help you move forward. For some individuals, it may also be more comfortable to be held accountable by others going through similar challenges and to hold them accountable in return, rather than feeling afraid of being judged by someone who has not experienced a substance use disorder.
3. Feeling less alone
Living with a substance use disorder can often feel very isolating, and there is still considerable stigma around SUDs. Group therapy can help address both of these concerns, as it creates a way to connect with others and show an individual that they are not the only ones coping with such challenges. Meeting with others in a group therapy setting may help an individual feel less alone and more understood.
4. Learning from others
Although those in substance use group therapy may all have a common disorder, everyone's journey is different. Each member brings a unique background and perspective that helps them look at situations in a different light. Group members can learn from one another and consider different perspectives and coping skills they may not have considered before.
5. Continued support
The end of group therapy doesn't mean the end of relationships. People who participate in therapy together may choose to stay in touch for long-term encouragement and accountability. These support groups may be an ideal place to find an accountability partner who will continue to support your recovery journey. In addition, the skills learned in group therapy can be used long-term. For example, many therapy groups will teach cognitive behavioral strategies to help you reshape your negative thoughts and actions and turn them into something more productive.
Substance use group therapy topics
Group therapy for substance use may include a mixture of educational and conversational topics. This allows members to learn coping strategies while developing helpful relationships with their peers. Some possible topics include:
- Communication skills: The group may learn effective communication strategies to help maintain or restore relationships with their loved ones and prevent future conflict.
- Coping with cravings: Participants can discuss strategies for how they cope with cravings to help prevent relapse.
- Healthy relationships: The group may explore healthy relationship dynamics and learn how to identify red flags in unhealthy relationships.
- Stress management: Members can identify sources of stress in their lives and create a plan to manage that stress in a healthy manner.
- Self-care: Participants can learn about the importance of self-care and develop a self-care plan that meets their needs.
- Building a support system: The group can learn more about the importance of support systems and identify people and resources who can help support them.
- Self-reflection: Members can identify underlying issues that contribute to substance use and work through those during therapy.
- Identifying triggers: Group members may discuss common triggers and develop strategies for coping with them.
- Mindfulness: Recovery may be accompanied by unpleasant feelings such as worry and guilt. By learning about mindfulness, participants can learn how to observe their feelings without judging themselves.
- Anger management skills: Participants may experience irritability and aggression as they learn how to cope with an SUD. Anger management can teach them how to identify what angers them and manage that anger in a healthy manner.
Online therapy options for substance use
Group therapy can be an effective treatment option for SUD, but it is not the only treatment approach you may want to consider, especially if it would be difficult to consistently meet with a group in person due to distance or scheduling conflicts.
While some may think problematic substance use occurs mainly in large cities, rural communities actually experience higher rates of methamphetamine and tobacco use than cities. People experiencing substance use disorder in small towns or rural areas may be hesitant to seek treatment. One concern could be the stigma associated with treatment and the fear that everyone in town will know what they're going through. Another barrier may be that no treatment options are available nearby, necessitating a long commute to the nearest therapist or treatment facility.
Effectiveness of online therapy for substance use disorders
Online therapy offers a way to address both of these obstacles. Because online therapy can occur anywhere you have an internet connection, it allows individuals to seek help without even having to leave their homes—so you can have sessions where you feel most comfortable and avoid having to run into neighbors at an office or travel to a distant location.
And research has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for substance use disorders. In a 2018 study, researchers examined the effectiveness of e-therapy (using the Internet and mobile-based interventions) in treating substance use disorders and other addictions. They found that when therapists provided online addiction treatment, there was a statistically significant decrease in alcohol consumption and cannabis use.
Takeaway
What is substance use group therapy that supports people with substance abuse disorders?
Substance use support groups are community-based group interventions for people with substance use disorders. During group treatment sessions, people gather to share their experiences, issues, and problems related to drug abuse and substance dependence, including opioid-dependent patients. The main goal of this type of treatment program is to provide strong social support for those who are in recovery. The sessions usually incorporate coping skills training, behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention to help individuals develop healthier habits. With the help of motivational interviewing and group psychotherapy, individuals may improve their interpersonal skills and build their confidence in their recovery journey.
What kind of therapy is used as addiction or substance abuse treatment? How does it support mental health and recovery?
There are different therapies and treatment approaches used as a treatment program for addiction. However, the most commonly used is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other cognitive therapies. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals recognize and change harmful thought patterns, develop coping skills and strategies, and build healthier behaviors. It supports mental health by addressing underlying emotional triggers and aids in recovery by preventing relapse through relapse prevention training and promoting long-term sobriety. Therapies like motivational interviewing and dialectical behavior therapy may also be used to help individuals who are encountering difficulties with substance use treatment. This is more common for those individuals with dual diagnosis and co-occurring mental disorders, such as borderline personality disorder or mood disorders with depressive symptoms.
What are the support groups that conduct substance use group therapy?
One of the widely known support groups or group treatment programs for substance addiction recovery that conduct group therapy models is Narcotics Anonymous or NA. NA offers a group approach to this structured treatment program that mainly focuses on social support and relapse prevention.
Group drug counseling is also offered by various support groups for individuals struggling with drug abuse. These programs encourage individuals to engage in positive behavioral changes. Participants also develop their coping skills and build healthier interpersonal relationships through behavioral therapy and other modes of active treatment.
Why are support groups important for substance abuse treatment and recovery?
There are many types of substance use disorder (formerly called “substance abuse” or “drug abuse”) treatment approaches. Support groups can provide a safe peer environment to share complicated feelings, ask for advice, gain a sense of community or social support, and learn new coping skills from people with a shared experience.
Support groups are not the same thing as group psychotherapy for substance use treatment and substance use disorders. Group therapy is generally more focused on group treatment and developing relapse prevention skills through therapy. Group therapy models can include individual therapy, group drug counseling, or therapy with other people who have substance use challenges, but they also include couples and family therapy.
Support group sessions, on the other hand, are group format sessions intended to create peer support and a more supportive environment, typically with less structure. Some people benefit from support groups, group therapy, or both types of group treatment settings. Studies, including randomized controlled trials, show that these can have positive outcomes in recovery by improving psychological functioning.
How do I find a local support group for substance abuse treatment and mental health support?
Some tips for finding a local support or a treatment group include:
- Ask a professional: Staff members at your medical practitioner’s office or your mental health provider may be able to recommend local support services, group treatment, or an outpatient setting that offers individual or group treatment approaches to recovery.
- Use trustworthy sites: Websites like the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are reputable sources that can direct you toward national and local support groups specializing in harm reduction and relapse prevention.
- Search for the right keywords: If you’re looking for a drug use and abuse support group, for example, include these terms and your desired location in your online searches. Some groups’ primary focus is more on specific concerns, such as personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar disorder, so using these targeted search keywords or terms may help you find more specific results.
- Ask a loved one: If family members or friends have used local support group resources or treatment settings, they may be able to direct you toward group format facilitators who they’ve had a high degree of satisfaction with
If you’re looking for a support group to aid your recovery process, consider asking people in your community for recommendations and researching groups online. If you join a support group, such as a relapse prevention group or other group models that you do not connect with, it’s OK to try a different group or treatment condition that better meets your needs.
What is role-playing for substance abuse groups?
In some interpersonal process groups or group treatment settings for substance use recovery, members may be asked to engage in role-playing to develop a deeper understanding of challenges in their relationships, get real-time feedback, and practice new behavioral skills and social skills in a safe environment.
These therapy process groups can provide opportunities to educate patients on time to focus on how substance misuse and drug use can contribute to harmful behaviors and interpersonal conflicts. This approach can be effective for relapse prevention, as it helps people build community and learn to cope with emotional and interpersonal conflicts. Cognitive therapies and motivational interviewing are some of the techniques that may be incorporated to promote recovery.
Research studies, including empirical research and randomized controlled trials, mention that role-playing in a day treatment program could help to have a positive treatment outcome, and this is also true for those individuals with borderline personality disorder. This kind of method aligns with harm reduction strategies by creating a supportive and safe environment.
What are the most popular recovery groups?
Some popular recovery groups and group treatment options include:
- 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Marijuana Anonymous.
- SMART Recovery, which incorporates behavioral skills to support long-term sobriety.
- Secular groups, such as Rational Recovery or Secular Recovery, which focus on harm reduction.
To find the right approach for you, consider what treatment condition and modality interests you, whether you prefer that the group leader has any specific training, and what you might want to look for in terms of group cohesion. Research suggesting that when clients work well together and acceptance is prioritized during a group treatment or discussions says that these methods can lead to increased participation and mental health outcomes and a positive treatment outcome. Further research from the National Institute of Health shows that skills training and other groups that support sustained help and recovery from drug use are beneficial.
How to help a drug addict who refuses help?
If someone with a substance use disorder refuses help, there are several things you can do:
- Let them know you’re there for them if they want to talk, and reassure them that seeking safety is likely necessary for their overall well-being.
- Educate yourself on substance use disorders and drug use, and how to avoid enabling behavior, as well as learning behavioral skills that can be a big help when communicating with someone.
- Describe the things you love about this person and how drug use and substances have taken that from both of you, emphasizing the significant differences you’ve seen in their behavior.
- Prioritize your own mental health, and consider joining self-help groups or other forms of support for people affected by drug use or substance use disorders.
- Let them know you’re aware of the challenge they’re experiencing and offer to help them find resources like individual therapy, psychoeducational groups, skills training, or medical care.
- In some states, when an individual poses a significant threat to themselves or others, it may be possible for them to get treated in an inpatient setting through an involuntary hold, sometimes as part of a control group in a structured treatment manual approach.
- When approaching someone you care about regarding problematic drug use or substance use, focus on using nonjudgmental language and coming to them from a place of love and consideration.
Conducting regular follow-up periods may be helpful to maintain constant communication and encourage them to seek professional help once they are ready.
What are the different types of addiction therapy groups?
Here are some types of group treatment options for drug use that therapy patients may want to consider:
- Psychoeducational groups.
- Support groups.
- Interpersonal process groups.
- Skills development groups.
- Problem-solving groups.
Regardless of the type of group, leaders should promote a safe space to share and allow clients the agency of self-identifying. Some groups are designed for opioid-dependent patients and may consider specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they receive the best help and support.
Finding the best type of therapy and group treatment for you can help you remain abstinent from substance use or drug use. Research, including a randomized clinical trial, suggests that regular follow-up periods and structured contingency management approaches can be a big help in long-term recovery. Some groups focusing on seeking safety can also provide a supportive environment and help.
Who should not do group therapy?
People who might not be good candidates for group treatment in substance use recovery group therapy include those experiencing a severe mental health crisis, violent or highly unpredictable behavior, distrust, and potentially experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms.
Even when someone can benefit from group therapy, it’s important to be considerate of their specific needs. For example, if someone is experiencing a dual diagnosis of substance use disorder and another mental illness, it may be important to find a group therapist who specializes in providing appropriate treatment for both conditions. In some situations, participation in a control group within a randomized clinical trial or contingency management may be very important to know the best and most effective way or approach to use. Some programs are focused on seeking safety and can offer help and support. It may also be necessary to carefully review a group's inclusion criteria so that it would be right and fit for an individual’s recovery and support.
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