One of the things that make some drug and alcohol addicts feel hesitant about seeking treatment is that they will be required to participate in group therapy sessions. Even in a drug rehab outpatient program, most treatment centers incorporate group therapy into their treatment programs. While there may be some facilities that don’t offer group meetings as a part of the recovery process, you’ll find that most do require participation in group sessions.
It’s understandable to feel uneasy about opening up in a group setting at first, but, recovering addicts experience the first few sessions, they begin to appreciate the good that comes from them. As the participants in group therapy sessions open up, a bond forms among the members and it becomes easier to talk honestly about their feelings. This bond is the primary reason many drug rehab outpatient programs include group therapy. The experience helps recovering addicts realize they’re not alone and provides a number of other benefits as well.
Group Therapy Sessions Help Establish Structure
Without group therapy, recovering addicts may isolate themselves from others, which is harmful to the recovery process. Instead of developing healthy friendships, they would spend more time alone with their own self-destructive thoughts. This would make it more challenging to deal with the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that accompany the recovery process, making it harder for the recovering addict to focus on positive change.
Additionally, group therapy meetings help recovering addicts to meet obligations and develop a sense of responsibility. In the past, their addiction may have caused some addicts to lose their jobs or their homes, which ultimately causes them to lose a sense of time. Regularly scheduled group meetings forces them to arrive at a specified time and teaches them to meet their obligations. They learn to appreciate that the time of others is valuable, so they begin to understand the importance of arriving when expected.
Seeing the Positive Effects of Treatment Firsthand
Another reason recovering addicts should look for drug rehab outpatient programs that have group therapy is that it enables them to see the progress of others. This is beneficial in that it allows everyone in the group to view the improvements individuals are making in their recovery. This helps them realize that treatment is working and worthwhile to pursue. It ultimately instills positive, hopeful feelings in everyone participating in the group, so they will be encouraged to continue with their own recovery process.
The group setting provides each member of the group with feedback regarding their own progress as well. This is helpful in that it gives them an opportunity for honest self-reflection that helps them see where they should focus their attention. They may also gain a better understanding of recovery by listening to the experiences of others. The group session promotes sharing that can help each participant adjust the way they approach their path to recovery.
Developing New Friendships
Before beginning a drug rehab outpatient recovery program, every addict finds themselves in a cycle of addiction that’s reinforced by external triggers. Some of those triggers are found in their friendships with other addicts, so it’s important to be able to eliminate those friendships and form new ones. As recovering addicts participate in group therapy sessions, they will get to know the other participants in the program. This gives them an opportunity to form new friendships with others who are equally dedicated to living a clean and healthier lifestyle. Sharing an interest in living a clean and sober lifestyle provides recovering addicts with a substantial basis for forming new friendships. This is why friendships formed in rehab last for many years.
The positive support a recovering addict gets from forming friendships with other recovering addicts cannot be understated. There will be times when a recovering addict is the only person that can provide the specific support needed to cope with a trigger, or to resist the craving to use again. Maintaining these friendships in and out of group therapy sessions will help recovering addicts stay clean for a longer period of time. They can rely on each other instead of turning to substance abuse in an effort to cope with challenging times.
If you would like to learn more about the possibility of participating in a drug rehab outpatient program, contact us at 844-639-8371. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions and address your concerns. Making this call is the first step on the path to recovery for you, or for a loved one who may be struggling with addiction.