When struggling with a substance use disorder, individuals often find themselves focused to the point of obsession on their drug of choice – how much are they going to purchase, when will they use again, and so on. Their entire world can begin revolving around their substance abuse, causing other parts of their lives to fall into complete disarray. As the use continues, individuals can start to experience repercussions of that use, ranging from losing a job to suffering a severe health complication. And, even when the consequences of use begin to rack up, those who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol still find it complicated (if not impossible) to stop using. This is because addiction is a disease that affects the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory circuitry. Thankfully, as with many other diseases, addiction can be treated with the help of addiction group therapy sessions. Those who were once trapped in the downward spiral of substance abuse can move forward in their lives without the stress of addiction.
What is Addiction Group Therapy?
When someone makes the decision to get professional treatment for their substance use disorder, they are taking the first step in the process of getting sober and entering into recovery. Shortly after entering into treatment, clients will start participating in therapy sessions that are evidence-based, meaning they have been proven to help treat addiction. One of these evidence-based treatments is group therapy.
Addiction group therapy is a type of therapy that all who are in treatment will participate in. Those who participate in group therapy will be in the company of others who are recovering from a substance use disorder, as well as one or more therapists who will guide all sessions. Group therapy sessions will focus on topics that are common amongst all participants and allow those participants to share, listen, and engage in activities and exercises that can help the recovery process along. Studies have shown that when enrolled in a group addiction therapy program, clients obtain a wealth of benefits that help them address their issues and overcome them so that recovery can be possible.
Benefits of JourneyPure’s Addiction Group Therapy Program
Addiction can be an extremely isolating disease, causing individuals to pull away from people, places, and things that once brought them joy. However, when enrolled in our addiction group therapy in Tennessee, isolation is not possible, as the goal of this type of modality is to address the issues that have led to the development of the substance use disorder and allowed it to continue. Through group conversations, exercises, and activities, clients can benefit in a number of different ways.
Giving/Receiving Support
Arguably the greatest benefit of our Tennessee-based addiction group therapy program is the ability to give and receive support. Group therapy sessions naturally produce a sense of support amongst participants, as all who are involved can relate to what one another is experiencing or has experienced. Within these sessions, clients share some of the most personal parts of themselves with one another which forges a bond that only those in that group can understand. As each participant moves along in his or her recovery, those who he or she did group therapy sessions with can continue to support him or her and vice versa.
Developing Social Skills
It is very common for people who have been struggling with addiction to have developed poor social skills or no social skills at all. When in addiction group therapy, clients have no choice but to work with one another, which gives them the opportunity to improve upon their social skills. Clients can learn quickly how certain approaches, tones, and phrases can affect their conversation and connection with others and work to modify and/or continue practicing the skills that have developed through our Tennessee group therapy program. For example, clients often develop better listening and collaborative skills, as well as a deeper sense of compassion, understanding, and empathy when involved in group therapy.
Engaging in Powerful Conversation
Those in recovery are going to participate in many group therapy sessions, regardless of what type of rehab they are attending. Those sessions are likely going to produce powerful conversation amongst members of the group as they begin discussing specific topics and sharing their experiences. Through these powerful conversations can come honesty, insight, revelations, and connection that individuals might have never thought they could foster, however, end up helping them to grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Additionally, conversations like these are not only had in our Tennessee addiction group therapy program but they are also conducted in support group meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Practicing Accountability
Accountability is something that many people who are recovering from substance use disorders struggle with, specifically because during their active addiction, they likely did not take much, if any, accountability for their actions. However, when in group therapy, clients will not only develop ways to take accountability for their own thoughts, behaviors, and actions, but they will also develop a sense of accountability to one another in the group. This sense of accountability can keep individuals from giving in to cravings or making poor decisions because they know that when they go back to the group, they will have to take accountability for those things. When all members in our Tennessee group addiction therapy program are supportive and encouraging of one another, that sense of accountability can come naturally, thus improving one’s ability to remain in recovery.
Call Our Addiction Group Therapy Program in Tennessee Today!
If you are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, we understand that you are probably feeling like there is no way out. You might even be overwhelmed just thinking about going to treatment and tend to shy away from the idea of getting help. However, addiction is a disease that can be treated and in a manner that promotes significant personal growth. The longer that you wait to get help, the more complex your addiction can become, making treatment that much more difficult.
So, do not let another day pass you by. Contact our Tennessee addiction group therapy program right now to learn more about how we can help you.