Overcoming addiction is no easy feat. It takes dedication, time, professional help, and support to find the path to recovery – peer support being a commonly overlooked key element. During the recovery process, peer support oftentimes comes in the form of group therapy.

Group therapy for addiction recovery is a vital part of most rehabilitation programs at Restore Treatment Center, as it offers numerous benefits for addicts. Some of these benefits include: learning new coping strategies, the opportunity to work on communication skills, and the ability to gain hope and strength through positive relationships with peers.

What Does Group Therapy Consist Of?

Although an addict’s loved ones, such a significant other, parents, or children, can take part in group therapy sessions, these meetings usually consist of a group of peers. Regardless of who is attending the session, group meetings are usually led by a trained mental health and addiction specialist. Discussion topics will vary depending on the structure of the meeting, but the main discussion points will typically include:

• Substance abuse and addiction education
• Coping with stress
• Managing substance abuse triggers
• Opening up about difficult emotions
• Living with emotional trauma
• Coping with withdrawal and cravings
• Forming healthy, mutually beneficial, relationships
• Medication management
• Mental illness
• Understanding codependency

Group Therapy For Ongoing Support

One main concern for most recovering addicts, is falling back into old ways once they have completed treatment. Lacking a strong support system at home and continuing to associate with those who have encouraged substance abuse in the past, can put an addict at a high risk for relapsing back into the dangerous cycle of addiction. In group therapy, individuals are free to meet men and women much like themselves. They are facing the same struggles, and therefore, are available to offer their judgement-free insight. Life-long friendships are formed in group therapy sessions, as addicts let down their guard and develop sober, trusting relationships with other group members.

No one should be alone in their struggle with addiction. Support and community-involvement is one of the most important aspects of recovery. Call us to find out more about group therapy and how our programs can benefit your addiction recovery.