Fundamentally, group structures form the basis of all human relationships and interactions. Whether born into a family unit or into an alternative care system, humans are naturally wired to interact with each other from the start. As social animals, group formations are the building blocks of human existence, shaping character and providing a platform for identity creation based on association.
How often have we wondered how different our lives or someone else’s life would be if they had been reared in different group circumstances other than those they were born into or the group associations they consequently chose as a result of their environments?
Along the road to addiction recovery, sincere individuals face a mountain of decisions in the arduous journey to healthy, constructive lifestyles. Advantage Mental Health Center understands that everyone’s recovery is unique. AMHC’s primary goal is to help each patient succeed in recovery. In the recovery process, AMHC utilizes one of the most useful and successful tools in substance abuse treatment programs: group therapy. AMHC realizes the importance of group therapy in addiction recovery protocols for a multitude of reasons.
Synergy: Greater than the sum of its parts
One of the central advantages of group therapy stems from the synergistic nature of group interactions. AMHC’s addiction recovery therapists understand the individual’s recovery process and recognize the importance of therapy conducted in a safe and supportive environment. An integral component of our treatment program focuses on therapist-led group sessions, offering emotional and psychological support, positive lifestyle modeling and principled problem solving, in addition to exploring, discovering and implementing tools that help clients build productive, sustainable, healthy relationships.
A myriad of unexpected benefits develop alongside the intentional goals of each therapy group, such as a sense of belonging, a rejuvenated outlook on life, and a strong support network.
Commiseration
An essential part of AMHC’s group therapy centers on dispelling the isolating affects that often accompany addiction. Depression, anxiety, denial, shame, low self-esteem, temporary cognitive impairment and personality disorders can be overwhelming and debilitating. A distorted or diminished sense of self are all too common isolating elements that only act to exacerbate addictive behavior. Within a group situation, patients realize that their issues are similar to other group members and sharing experiences helps reduce depression and reverse self-condemning psychological and behavioral disorders.
Camaraderie
Knowing that therapy group members share circumstances and emotional states with others takes the attention off clients’ own troubles. Interaction with like-minded souls provides solace and a jumping off place for therapeutic discussions, revealing true emotional issues behind emotional disorders and recognizing triggers at the core of addictions.
Group therapy members offer each other support in difficult moments and are there to cheer in each other’s successes, every step of the way. These actions bond group members, who will offer support to each other long after recovery treatment.
Compassion
Also, recognition of one’s own tendencies in the actions of someone else helps group members see their own issues in others. Through recognition, group members are equipped to address their own issues. Group members can learn positive skills for recovery through emulating more recovery-advanced members who offer hope and guidance to the group.
Community
Group members can learn positive modeling skills when they interact with others who may be further along in their recovery than themselves. Learning how to interact productively in real world situations, as a recovering addict can be complicated and fraught with the pitfalls that lead to a client falling back into their cycle of addiction. In therapist-led groups, members can develop interpersonal skills that help direct their actions towards productive and positive results.
Learning from other members and sharing insights into sustainable recovery helps drive out negativity, building a secure place of refuge for a successful recovery. Long after treatment, group therapy experience can act as an anchor, as former clients call on the lessons of group therapy as a safe haven, helping them to cope with whatever life throws at them.
Group therapy can turn positive talk into a living reality. Through healthy re-positioning of an individual’s attention through therapeutic methods, group members role-play and try out new behaviors in the safety of their therapy groups. In these ways, clients will be benefit from peer reaction and criticism, in a constructive way.
Contact AMHC
Addiction can be one of the most challenging obstacles to tackle in anyone’s lifetime. Successful lasting recovery requires the help of a team of specifically trained therapists. At AMHC, we know your path to recovery is unique and your situation unlike any other individual’s.
For those in recovery, AMHC offers Saturday Group Therapy sessions from 1:00-3:30 starting with a life skills training group session, followed by a process group that focuses on reversing negative core beliefs, building self-esteem and more.
AMHC recognizes the far-reach and wide range of benefits available to addiction recovery patients in group therapy programs. AMHC’s goal is successful long-term patient recovery. With therapist-led group therapy at the forefront of addiction recovery, AMHC welcomes individuals to contact us when they are ready to focus on their addiction recovery. AMHC reminds everyone: When you decide to go up against yourself, don’t go it alone. Contact us at 727-600-8093. Group therapy works. There is hope…and we’re here to help.