Addictions and group therapy in the outpatient treatment of patients

The support groups that you see in American movies, those group therapies, also exist in our country. And at Fromm Bienestar we are professionals with a lot of experience in them.

Without a doubt, group therapy works very well as an adjunct to a psychological treatment of addictions. This makes sense, because it is a safe space in which the person can work with complete peace of mind.

You may have heard of them, but what do we really know about group therapy for addiction treatment?

• Related article: "The 14 most important types of addictions"

What is group therapy?

Group therapy is a way of working on the detoxification of addictions that helps to modify patterns of behavior, thinking and way of thinking, issues that an addict must continually wrestle with. They are limitations that make an addict stay at the same point until he manages to break them.

Self-help groups focus on helping the addict overcome mental and behavioral barriers caused by his illness, such as denial and shame. In fact, group therapy must emphasize overcoming these two drawbacks, since they are very important conditioning factors when it comes to not being able to advance adequately in your recovery.

Is it difficult for the addict to do group therapy?

The truth is that it is not easy for a person who suffers from an addiction, whatever the type, to start group therapy, since they feel out of place and do not know any other person.

This feeling of loneliness is compounded by the fact that at the beginning of group therapy the addict brings an altered or distorted perception about himself, you may even think that your illness is less serious than it really is or compare wrongly with others, establishing categories and false beliefs regarding the seriousness of the addiction. You do not see what happens in an objective way.

This is what group therapy is all about, where patients understand what they are really dealing with. In the sessions, the participants see that the real situation is not the way they perceive it, but the way others see it. It is what is colloquially known as confrontation and consists of look at yourself in front of your own mirror seen in the help of fellow participants.

Another difficulty they find is that they have no control over the use of the substance or the behavior that makes them addicted. The group creates an environment in which they feel understood, and for them it is a little easier to face the real problem.

The great benefit of group addiction therapy is that it involves very different people who have been through a similar situation. This allows the patient to identify with others, and to believe support networks among patients as each one recounted their experience and learned from each other.

In addition, group treatment brings back to their lives self-discipline and limits, so necessary to get out of addiction. It also allows them to get to know each other, learn from the experience of others, and have first-hand information from those who have been through the same thing. In addition, seeing how progress is made generates optimism and the desire to change.

• You may be interested in: "Group therapy: history, types and phases"

Tools for group therapy

In group therapies, two tools are used mainly: an assessment and how to deal with the problem. It is not until an addict surrenders to his illness that he sees two things clearly, how others see him and how he perceives the situation himself. Actually, the professional exerts a mirror effect in which the addict is reflected.

Although many may perceive it as a way of attacking, it is really bringing the person to reality. Of course, To do this, you always have to adopt an addict-centered approach, based on radical respect and empathy..

Good behaviors are valued and reinforced, and here we can include appropriate behaviors or attitudes. If he has been able to say no, it is to celebrate.

The role of the therapist

In group therapy, it is the therapist who monitors that the dynamics are adequate. He is the one who coordinates the meeting and the participation of the people. It is very important to make the group an environment in which the addict can express himself freely and without fear of being judged, at the same time, provides advice and guidelines for people to put into practice.

Looking for addiction treatment?

If you have an addiction-related problem and are looking for therapy services, get in touch with our professionals.

On Fromm Wellness we specialize in addiction treatment, and we perform both outpatient and admissions services. On this page there is more information about how we work.