There is a chapter in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (often referred to as the Big Book) entitled “Working With Others.” The chapter begins, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail… You can help when no one else can.” Group therapy offers an opportunity for this essential work to occur.
Better Understanding Group Therapy
While group therapy is not a monolith, there are some universal characteristics. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Group Therapy, by Doctors Malhotra and Baker, “Group therapy is the treatment of multiple patients at once by one or more healthcare providers. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions including but not limited to emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” It is also highly effective at treating people with addiction and co-occurring disorders.
Group therapy is also much more than simply connecting with others in recovery (though, as previously mentioned, that is essential). It is also about working with recovery professionals, such as psychologists, therapists, and counselors, to get to the underlying core causes of one’s negative and addictive behaviors. As is often said in recovery circles, “Alcohol and drugs are but a ‘symptom’ of deeper issues.” There are also many other benefits that group therapy has to offer.
The Pros of Group Therapy
While not everyone will experience the same benefits of group therapy, there are many universal benefits that are often shared. The following are some (but certainly not all) of those benefits:
- Offers essential connection through “shared experience”
- Helps clients feel better about themselves by helping others
- Offers vital information regarding addiction and addiction recovery
- Gives individuals hope for the future
- Helps individuals prepare for future interactions with loved ones
- Offers critical life skills
- A chance to learn from other people’s experiences
- Helps with communication
- Brings a sense of responsibility
- Allows for essential feedback
- Helps clients set goals for the future
The Cons of Group Therapy
As with any type of therapy, there are some negative aspects of group therapy. However, these cons are also intimately linked to how the individual approaches and interacts with the therapy. The following are just a few potential cons of group therapy:
- Clients may feel apprehensive about sharing in front of others
- Fear of other group members sharing sensitive information outside of the group
- Not getting a chance to fully participate because others are absorbing the time
- Reliance on others for the process to be successful
- Waiting for others to begin sessions (scheduling conflicts)
- Clashing with opposing personalities
- Not feeling enough one-on-one time with the therapist
The Benefits of Connecting With Others in Group Therapy
As one can see, the benefits tend to outweigh the negatives when it comes to group therapy. Connecting with others in group therapy also offers an opportunity to focus on the future and long-term recovery.
Recovery must continue after treatment concludes. This often means staying connected with peers and professionals from treatment, as well as meeting other people in a recovery community (such as a 12-Step community). Group therapy helps prepare people to interact with others also in recovery. These interactions can be crucial in building an effective “sober network,” so potentially “triggering” times can be successfully navigated. This also greatly reduces the chance of a potential relapse.
Many people don’t realize just how prevalent relapse currently is in the U.S. According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.” These statistics reduce significantly when other people in recovery remain connected.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Rancho Recovery
Here at Rancho Recovery, we offer a luxury environment that is highly conducive to effective group therapy. This is because our therapeutic process also includes other modalities and holistic healing practices like yoga and meditation. Our limited space also ensures that group therapy sessions will be intimate and engaging. No one will feel excluded from the process.
The iconic American author and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” This is what happens at Rancho Recovery – clients find themselves again. They also find that they have the strength to achieve the life that they both desire and deserve. We help make it happen.
Many recovery centers focus solely on individual therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). However, effective recovery should also include human connection. This can be gained via group therapy. Group therapy also greatly benefits from taking place in a luxury facility that focuses on a small group of clients. This is what we offer at Rancho Recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to do this alone. For more information about the efficacy of group therapy and our luxury facility, contact Rancho Recovery today at (877) 484-1447.