The importance of group therapy in detoxification

Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which a small group of people participate in the same session, which are directed in turn by a psychotherapist expert in the problem that suffer. It should not be confused with family therapy, whose main objective is to help solve relational problems in a family. Here the objective has to do with helping each person to face a problem of a mainly individual nature, but from collective action.

This type of intervention has proven its usefulness precisely because of the positive dynamics of interaction and learning that are generated within the group. therapeutic, of the existing feedback between all the members and also with the specialized psychologist who directs the group and organizes the sessions. here we will see why group therapy is beneficial in cases of detoxification.

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Benefits of group therapy in detoxification processes

Group psychotherapy is characterized by three defining elements: the group-type context in which it is performs, the individual and collective objectives, and the time frame during which it will be carried out. All of them contribute to exerting a series of benefits on the people who participate in a process of this type, through the creation of group dynamics that cannot exist in psychotherapy individualized. Bearing this in mind, let's see what are the benefits of group therapy in the process of detoxification from addictions.

1. Identification with a common problem

The framework of psychological intervention offered by group therapies is based on the situation of equality in which all members of the group find themselves, a fact that it helps the participants to identify with several people at the same time and not feel “alone” in the face of their problem.

This identification contributes enormously to the interaction between the members of the group, since they perceive each other as equals and therefore They find it easier to communicate and be honest about sensitive issues and share their experiences, problems or discomfort in general.

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2. Reciprocal hope and motivation

The hope that is instilled in group members during group therapy comes when any patient sees positive changes in other participants. That is has access to references in which the advances and progress of the therapy are seen, and furthermore it is not about celebrities or idealized people, but about individuals who go through situations very similar to those of oneself, which motivates even more.

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3. Altruism

Altruism is the help offered by members of the group to each other, while being helped in turn by the other people who make up the group. This dynamic makes everyone feel that they have a social support network that, consisting of several people while also motivating each other, can be more useful than the involvement of people individual.

4. Easier to understand the philosophy of life of each one

Unlike what happens in a classic individual therapy, group therapies offer the possibility of accessing very different points of view during each session. This makes it more likely to "connect" with one or more ways of interpreting what is happening., something that can be used by therapists to understand the mentality of patients and work from the framework of beliefs and thoughts they present.

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5. Learning strategies based on practice

Learning in group therapy is very diverse, since there can be several members of the group who can be taken as an example or model to be followed by other participants.

Some of the elements that can be learned from other people are coping strategies for anxiety, stress or general discomfort in the face of the syndrome. abstinence, the daily life habits with which a participant faces his social problems, the timely detection of thoughts that predispose him to relapse into consumption etc

6. Acceptance

One of the main rules established at the beginning of a group therapy is that an attitude of acceptance must be maintained. unconditionally towards all the members of the group, without judging at any time the secrets, experiences or impressions of each one of them. they. This not only makes it possible for the participants to "open up" and talk about their problems, but also helps them get out of the vicious circle of denial of the problem in which many people who suffer from addictions settle, seeing that around them no one pretends to be perfect and have total control of the situation.

This norm also helps to unite the group and allows all its members to feel free to share any personal complex or distressing thought that you try to “cover up” through drug use. This unconditional acceptance between the members of the group also contributes to a climate of brotherhood in which it is extremely easy to express anything to the other members.

The group sessions are characterized by being made up of small groups, a fact that contributes to the freedom both to share confidences to implement strategies and train or represent any type of situation whose resolution must be practiced.

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