The cycle of addiction is a lonely one. Most addicts feel the need to hide their substance abuse from others, and as their addiction progresses, they begin to lose the friends and family members they once cared deeply for. For some addicts, loneliness is the reason they started abusing drugs or alcohol in the first place, and the deeper they fall into their addiction, the more they isolate themselves from others and feel that they are alone in the world. Fortunately, this destructive cycle of addiction can be broken for good, with the help of a professional substance abuse recovery program that specializes in group therapy. If a close friend or family member is abusing drugs or alcohol, and you think they may benefit from recovery groups, contact A Forever Recovery today at our toll-free number to find out how you can help.
Benefits of Recovery Groups
During substance abuse treatment at A Forever Recovery, addicts learn to open up to the people around them, share with others their experiences with drug addiction, and accept support from other members of the recovery community. One source of aid in addiction treatment is group therapy, a type of counseling in which a trained therapist oversees a group of individuals facing similar challenges, like alcoholism, drug addiction, and other psychological disorders. Addicts in recovery typically attend group therapy sessions one to two times per week and take part in a structured discussion that addresses health issues that are common to the group. Group therapy is an effective part of substance abuse recovery, and the basis for group therapy is helping addicts progress through six main stages of recovery.
- Pre-contemplation – The addict is not actively considering changing his substance abuse behavior because he doesn’t believe he has a serious problem.
- Contemplation – With guidance from the group, the addict begins to consider decreasing his drug or alcohol use or quitting altogether.
- Preparation – The addict understands the harmful consequences of his substance abuse and prepares to quit using drugs or alcohol.
- Action – The addict chooses a strategy to stop using, and makes the necessary changes to follow through with the plan.
- Maintenance – The addict works hard to remain sober and avoid relapsing.
- Recurrence – If the client relapses, he goes back to the maintenance stage and works to gain a better understanding of what caused the relapse so that he can avoid relapsing again in the future.
Some of the most meaningful benefits of recovery groups in addiction treatment include: gaining a new perspective on old problems, sharing without fear of judgment, and feeling responsible for and accountable to others Group therapy also helps a person feel motivated to set goals and stick to them, experimenting with new behaviors in a safe environment, and boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Substance Abuse Recovery
Group therapy has proven to be very effective in helping addicts overcome their substance abuse disorders and other mental health challenges, and it is an important part of the treatment program at A Forever Recovery. It provides a healthy outlet for recovering addicts to vent their frustrations or work through challenges with other individuals facing similar issues, and addicts who participate in group counseling sessions often find that they benefit from listening to others’ problems as well as sharing their own. In speaking freely about their substance abuse in a safe and secure group setting with people they have grown to trust, they gradually begin to lose the feeling of loneliness and isolation that their addiction has imposed on them. Furthermore, this type of give-and-take interaction helps addicts improve their communication, confidence and social skills, which are integral to the recovery process, as they provide the addict with new recovery tools to utilize once they complete treatment and reenter society.
Contact A Forever Recovery for Help
Group therapy is a highly valuable tool for recovering addicts, as it provides a safe, non-threatening environment where they can provide support to others and make continuous progress in recovery while gaining a better understanding of themselves and the underlying issues that have contributed to their addiction problem. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction, and you think group therapy might be the way to go, contact A Forever Recovery today at our toll-free number to speak to a certified addiction recovery counselor about recovery groups and other treatment options.