You Are Not Alone
Feeling a sense of community and togetherness is important for everyone. While there may be times in our lives when we prefer more alone time, it’s critical to make an attempt to surround yourself with people who can support and uplift you, especially in recovery.
Addiction can be very isolating, especially in the midst of your struggle. As you enter into treatment and throughout recovery, it’s very important to rebuild healthy relationships and connect with those around you who can be of support.
Equally as important as actually getting out there and attempting to make connections is selecting the right people and groups to connect with. Throughout treatment and recovery, you’ll be supported in identifying like-minded people who can offer support and encouragement throughout your recovery journey.
Benefits of Group Therapy
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “The natural propensity of human beings to congregate makes group therapy a powerful therapeutic tool for treating substance abuse, one that is as helpful as individual therapy, and sometimes more successful.”
Group therapy is something that is widely utilized throughout treatment and recovery programs – and for good reason. These programs offer many benefits that individual therapy sessions cannot. These benefits can include feeling a sense of connectedness to others who may be experiencing similar struggles. Additionally, group therapy can establish a sense of accountability with other individuals seeking treatment or in recovery. Information shared within groups can also be very enlightening and lead to self-discovery and confidence.
Offers A Sense of Connectedness
The term connectedness can mean many different things depending on the situation and setting. In treatment and recovery, connectedness usually means relationships with similar people and integration into your community. It’s important to establish a good network of supporters and maintain consistent engagement in activities to keep you involved and on track.
Group therapy offers connectedness by bringing individuals together who are facing similar struggles and have potentially overcome similar obstacles in life. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people by participating in group programs can keep you from feeling isolated and alone.
Encourages Accountability and Feedback
Another huge benefit to group therapy is the establishment of accountability. As you form relationships with others within your group, a natural sense of responsibility for your actions is created. As you share information and open up to others within your group, they are better able to support you and offer encouragement in times of need.
This accountability can be effective within the group and even exist outside of treatment. For example, as you maintain a consistent presence within the group, your attendance becomes expected. Should you be absent, it wouldn’t be unusual for another group member to reach out. Because relationships and bonds are formed within the group, you are able to reach out to other group members when you need encouragement or advice.
Promotes Self-Discovery and Confidence
Group therapy sessions often involve quite an abundance of sharing of information, experiences, struggles, fears, and even successes and goals. As a result, being present and hearing about others’ experiences and ways of coping with similar obstacles can be very helpful. It’s not uncommon to have blind spots when it comes to your own treatment and recovery journey. Listening to others share information about their own treatment and recovery experiences can be relatable and often enlightening.
The more you know about yourself and what you need to be successful, the more confident you become. Group sessions allow for presenting ideas and sharing feedback, brainstorming, and sharing what has worked and what hasn’t worked for group members. Group treatment is often thought of as being about expressing and sharing, but it can also be very informative. Studies show that the more confident you are in yourself and your ability to maintain sobriety leaving treatment, the lower your chances of relapse.
While this article has focused heavily on the benefits of group therapy and treatment sessions, it’s important to know that there are other avenues for feeling connected and supported outside of treatment. Such places to find connections in the recovery community can include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) groups. As mentioned, in the midst of addiction, it’s common for you to feel distanced from family members, friends, and other social groups. As you progress through treatment and recovery, you will have the opportunity to reconnect and rebuild relationships and will be encouraged to find your new place in society through meetings such as these.
Remembering that you are not alone in your treatment and recovery journey is very important. Lean on those who are there to support you, and prioritize participation in group therapy and programs. By engaging fully in the process and trusting your plan for treatment, you can set yourself up for success and remain motivated to stay on track.
Addiction can leave you feeling disconnected and isolated; remember that you are not alone. Treatment and recovery programs often implement group therapy to provide reassurance of this. Group therapy and programs can be beneficial in many ways. By creating a sense of connectedness, these programs can serve as a safe place for sharing and learning among peers. Hearing the stories, failures, and successes of others can be very motivating and comforting. Group programs also offer accountability among group members. Enlightened Solutions provides group programs and activities to promote whole-person treatment and encourage holistic living. We complete a thorough assessment at intake to understand your situation completely, then consider what treatment programs and activities are most appropriate. Let us create an individualized treatment plan to address your unique needs. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.
