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 SUD treatment 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. 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.