6 Ways to Get the Most out of Group Therapy

Posted by Into Action Treatment on December 29, 2015 in Articles

Understanding that group therapy is the

recommended course for treatment of a drug addiction

is one thing, knowing how to use this to your

advantage is something totally different. Group

therapy offers some unique benefits during recovery.

You meet with people who understand the situation

you are in and who are ready and willing to lend a

helping hand in overcoming the obstacles you face on

your quest for sobriety. There are several ways you can utilize group therapy dynamics best for a clear

advantage.

1. Be Honest

Lying becomes second nature to may addicts and the idea of entering a group setting and being

completely honest from the get go is scary. It’s okay. Even if you’re already well into group therapy,

it’s never too late to start being honest and honesty is an important part of the process. How can you get

help for an issue you don’t even admit you struggle with?

2. Make a genuine effort

Like lying, faking therapy is a common mistake that addicts make. It’s the result of listening to much

to your lying addiction. You think ‘it’ doesn’t apply to you or you don’t need the help, or whatever else

it is that you tell yourself that makes it okay to fake therapy. It isn’t okay. Forget that these people are

here to help you or that the rest of the group is counting on your support. It isn’t okay to try to fake

your way through group therapy FOR YOU. Don’t half-ass your recovery. Go at it with gusto. Put

your recovery and the progress you can make through group therapy at the forefront of your priorities.

The sooner you make the commitment; the sooner you will see results.

3. Make allies

As early as your first group therapy session, you will notice that there are certain people who you can

identify with or people who inspire you. Make allies of them. You will need someone to look to when

you struggle. So will they. Fighting the monsters of addiction is easier and more successful with allies

on your side.

4. Share accountability

Personal accountability is one of the hardest challenges on the quest for sobriety. In a group

therapy setting, accountability is shared. It is your job to hold yourself accountable but it’s also your

job to call bullshit when someone in your group tries to dodge their own accountability. Everyone in

the group is responsible for everyone else. It’s how bonds are made and strengthened.

5. Learn

Learn from the failures of your group mates. Learn from their successes. Learning from each other is a

uniquely human advantage. The ability to share your struggles so others can learn from them is an

opportunity for you to connect and give back to your group. It costs you nothing and it gives you more

satisfaction than you can imagine when you realize that your story might save someone’s life, or at the

very least- the same struggle.

6. Share

Share the weight of addiction. When you are feeling particularly vulnerable, you can offload the

weight in group and the other members can help you deal with your burdens. When you are having a

good day, perhaps you can be someone else’s rock. When group therapy is at its peak, you can do both

fluently and frequently.