Experts such as those at http://oceansrecovery.com/ will say that group therapy helps addicts because when they see others succeed, they are more motivated to succeed as well. Group therapy is a common therapy used with substance use disorders, as it provides many benefits that effectively treat those that are struggling.
A common reason it works is that it relies on simple human behavior and the need to be in group settings. Humans like being together and feeling supported by others going through the same thing. Learn more about the benefits of group therapy here.
Stages of Addiction and Group Therapy
The science on the study of human behavior and addiction shows that there are 6 categories an addict will be in when it comes to understanding their motivation for change. It starts with just thinking about changing, to planning on avoiding a recurrence of the addiction.
Those categories are:
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action
- Maintenance
- Recurrence
Those categories come with the stages of treatment. During the later stages of treatment, an individual is more motivated to attend group and succeed than when they are just contemplating getting better.
Why Group Therapy Works
Group therapy works for a number of reasons beyond the basic human need to interact with other humans experiencing the same thing. Patients in group therapy experience skills development, learn how to think things through better with cognitive behavioral therapy and develop tools that will help them to succeed.
The kinds of skills that addicts will pick up will be the kinds that help them to break from addiction. When an addict is in later stages of addiction where reckless behavior is in play, they often don’t know what to do to get out of it. They just want what they want and can’t think clearly enough to make a sound decision. The result is often trouble for them.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is therapy where the patient is taught how to think through their problems in a more clear way. Here, they learn how to remove the negative thoughts from their minds. Those negative patterns are the ones that lead them back into addiction.
Tools that addicts learn in groups involve the tools required to deal effectively with other humans. Here they learn how to interact with each other, take turns, and keep emotions stable during difficult conversations. It’s easier for them to do that when they are in a group setting where they are all experiencing similar things. Many enjoy going to group well after they leave a full-time treatment for that reason.
Other tools addicts learn in-group is the substitution of addictive behavior with positive behaviors. They won’t know how to do this on their own, because their lives have been consumed with consuming. That behavior needs to be replaced with hobbies, events, activities, jobs, housing, and things that will help them to lead more responsible lives.
People in the group can help them to learn what others are doing to replace addiction with positive behaviors. When these tools are applied in the real world, the patient has a higher chance of success at treating their addiction and avoiding relapse.
Seek Support
If you or someone that you love needs treatment for addiction, support is the greatest predictor for success. Experts like those at http://oceansrecovery.com/ will say that that is how and why group therapy works for those in addiction treatment. Begin the journey to recovery today and find your success with the help of experts and group therapy for addiction.