If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction and looking for some treatment programmes, other than medication and detoxification, they should attend the individual or group therapies. Generally speaking, therapy is a method that is used to address the people’s issues and work on them together to better understand themselves and the circumstances.

In individual therapy, a one to one session is conducted between the psychiatrist and a patient where the problem and their underlying root causes are discussed. Whereas in group therapy, many other people join you to address their issues and go through the treatment at the same time. Group therapy brings in many benefits such as expressing art, development of behavioural therapies, and confidence to talk about your problems. 

Group session’s models

These group meetings comprise of five different models which include the following: 

• Skill development. This includes the management of anger and urges that are caused due to substance use. In this model, patients are taught to deal with their triggers and other problems that can convert them to substance use. 
• Psychoeducation. This is about the mental health of the patient. In psych education, patients are told about the consequences of drugs on their mental health and tell them how to avoid the situations that can associate them with any drugs. 
• Cognitive-behavioural groups. Search therapies are used to change the behaviour of addicts and modify their thoughts and perceptions as an individual.
• Support groups. As their name suggests, these groups focus on providing help to other group members to cope with their problems and avoid isolation. 
• Interpersonal processing. Interpersonal models focus on the sociability of the patient. In this model, patients are meant to learn about the culture, social, and spiritual hierarchies.

Importance of group therapies

Group therapy plays a significant part when it comes to drug addiction treatment. It directly influences the mental and physical health of the patient if done under the supervision of professionals. Below are given the benefits of therapy done in a group.

Develop coping skills

When people work together in a group and share their stories, the listeners develop the skills of coping with various situations based on others’ experiences. This helps them to relate with their stories putting themselves in their shoes and understand the various associations. 

Reduce the sense of isolation

Of course, group therapies consist of various people, so there is very little chance that a patient feels isolated. These sessions enable the members to feel secure and develop a sense that others are with them and going through the same issues. 

Bring discipline and hope 

Group therapies allow people to think something like if others can do it, then I can also do this. This is something that dramatically motivates them towards recovery and a change.

These sessions also establish the rules and the consequences of helping the members to clarify their ideas of responsibility and recognise their obligations.

Provide a family-like environment

These sessions can be a source of support for many people. Especially those who do not have families due to some reasons and live alone. The interactions between various group members help them to feel like a family where they can share their problems and learn from others to get out of them. This can be done outside the therapy session, as well.

Ending note

In short, group therapies are beneficial for curing drug addiction. So, if you or someone you know is suffering from the substance use must opt for these therapy sessions other than using medicines.

James Wallace has been an advocate for mental health awareness for years. He holds a master’s degree in counselling from the University of Edinburgh.