Addictions and group therapy in outpatient treatment of patients

This is how group therapy used to help people with addictions works.

The support groups you see in American movies, those group therapies, also exist in our country. And at Fromm Bienestar we are professionals with a lot of experience in them.

There is no doubt about it, group therapy works very well as a complement to a psychological treatment of addictions.. This makes sense, because it is a safe space in which the person can work with peace of mind.

You may have heard of them, but what do we really know about group therapy for addiction treatment?

What is group therapy?

Group therapy is a way of working on detoxification from addictions that helps to modify patterns of behavior, thought and thinking, issues that an addict must continually struggle with.These are issues that an addict must continually struggle with. These are limitations that cause an addict to stay at the same point until he or she manages to break them.

Self-help groups focus on getting the addict to overcome the mental and behavioral barriers caused by his or her disease, such as denial and shame. In fact, group therapy should emphasize overcoming these two issues, as they are very important determinants of the addict's inability to make adequate progress in his or her recovery.

Is it difficult for the addict to do group therapy?

The truth is that it is not at all easy for a person suffering from an addiction, whatever type it may be, to start a group therapy, since he/she feels out of place and does not know any other person.

This feeling of loneliness is compounded by the fact that at the beginning of the group therapy the addict brings an altered or distorted perception of him/herself.He may even think that his disease is less serious than it really is or mistakenly compare himself with others, establishing categories and false beliefs regarding the seriousness of the addiction. He does not see what is going on in an objective way.

This is what is addressed in group therapy, where patients understand what they are really dealing with. In the sessions the participants see that the real situation is not the way they perceive it, but the way others see it. This is what is colloquially known as confrontation and consists of looking in front of their own mirror as seen by others. looking at themselves in front of their own mirror as seen with the help of their fellow participants..

Another difficulty they encounter is that they have no control over the substance use or the behavior that turns them into addicts. The group creates an environment in which they feel understood.The great benefit of group addiction therapy is that it involves very different people who have gone through a similar situation.

The great benefit of group addiction therapy is that it involves very different people who have gone through a similar situation. This allows the patient to identify with the others, and to create support networks among the patients. support networks among patients each one sharing his or her experience and learning from each other.

In addition, group treatment brings back into their lives self-discipline and limits, so necessary to get out of addiction. It also allows them to get to know each other, to learn from the experience of others and to have first-hand information from those who have gone through the same thing. In addition, seeing how progress is made generates optimism and the desire to change.

Tools for group therapies

Two main tools are used in group therapy: and how to deal with the problem.. It is not until an addict surrenders to his illness that he clearly sees two things, how others see him and how he himself perceives the situation. Actually, the professional exerts a mirror effect in which the addict is reflected.

Although many may perceive this as a form of attack, it is actually bringing the person back to reality. Of course, to do so, one must always adopt an approach centered on the addict, with radical respect and empathy..

Good behaviors are valued and reinforced, and here we can include appropriate behaviors or attitudes. If you have been able to say no, it is to be celebrated.

The role of the therapist

In group therapy, it is the therapist who monitors that the dynamics are appropriate.. He is the one who coordinates the meeting and the participation of people. It is very important to make the group an environment in which the addict can express himself freely and without fear of being judged, at the same time providing advice and guidelines for people to put into practice.

Looking for addiction treatment?

If you have a problem related to addictions and are looking for therapy services, contact our professionals.

At Fromm Wellness we specialize in addiction treatment, and we perform both outpatient and inpatient services. On this page there is more information about how we work.