When you are going through something as difficult as addiction treatment rehab, it’s critical to understand how much therapy helps during this time. Having to attend individual therapy and group therapy might seem over the top, but they both have unique positives for treating substance use disorders that will contribute to your treatment success.
Overcoming Common Concerns About Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Addressing Stigma and Resistance
Many people think that therapy is useless and has no actual benefit. There is also a lot of shame in receiving therapy because of the common stigma about mental health services. When both of these misconceptions are believed, it brings a lot of resistance to getting treatment, because you might find it pointless.
When unlearning harmful stigmas, the most important thing is realizing that these things would not continue to exist if it wasn’t effective. Success rates from substance use dependency treatment exist because it does work when you engage with these therapeutic tools. Giving therapy a chance is also giving yourself one to become successful on your sobriety journey.
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders
Therapeutic tools are also critical when going through treatment because of any co-occurring disorders. Although you are in recovery from substance abuse, you may be leaning on substances due to a mental health condition. Additionally, going through substance abuse treatment might be difficult for your mental health, and having proper support will benefit your recovery. If needed, medication can be prescribed for your mental health disorder, or to manage your sobriety.
Related: Self Diagnosis vs. Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Find out how addiction treatment rehab in the Los Angeles, California area can help you recover. Call us today to get started.
Understanding Individual Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Individual therapy is a common therapeutic part of substance use treatment. Individual therapy helps you get to the root of why you turn to substance use and can help dig up triggers you may not have realized existed. This is a great time to really tackle your background and assess your upbringing, familial issues, personal issues, and any traumatic experiences.
When you can look over all of your experiences, it can help paint a picture of what you may need to work on. It could be reframing your thoughts, learning how to properly manage your emotions, and processing past trauma. In most cases, individual therapy is done once a week for about 60 minutes. These sessions are a safe space that’s also confidential. You should be able to collaborate with your therapist while being able to share freely.
What to Expect in Your First Individual Therapy Session
When you first begin individual therapy sessions, your initial evaluation will involve a lot of questions. They will be about your substance use, what you use, how often, and for how long. Then they’ll move on to questions about your background, any mental health concerns, and things you may want to work on. Once this is complete, you’ll be able to start setting goals and collaborating on the treatment you feel will work best.
During these discussions, you will hopefully be building a solid rapport with your therapist so that you feel like they provide a safe space to discuss your concerns and fears. As these sessions continue, your therapist will revisit the goals you set and you can both go over how far along you are to reaching them, what you’ve learned so far, and the next steps to complete them.
Benefits of Individual Therapy for Addiction Recovery
Individual therapy is beneficial because the entire focus is on your needs and what you’d like to improve. The specific focus makes this a very tailored approach that can change as sessions continue [3]. For example, in the beginning, you might benefit most from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), then a different approach, and so on.
It’s also a great way to have one-on-one support when having difficult moments in recovery. You have privacy to discuss any sensitive issues or traumatic events you don’t want others to hear and each session helps tailor your coping strategies to exactly what works for you. If for any reason it doesn’t seem to be working, your therapist can change as needed for the best outcome.
These sessions also help build self-awareness and personal insight since every situation is talked through from not just your lens but an outside lens from your therapist, which brings perspective.
Related: Choosing the Right Addiction Therapy for Substance Abuse
Understanding Group Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Group therapy in rehab is a great opportunity to listen to other group members and share your own experiences with the group. This can create strong connections since you can relate by having had similar experiences and you might be having the same frustrations or struggles during recovery.
There are different types of group therapy, each with its own approach. For example, one will be purely support-based with encouraged sharing from all group members. Another group could be skills-based where you can learn everyday life and coping skills, and another group could be around processing emotions.
Group sessions tend to be every day, or a few times a week depending on the treatment center. These groups will cycle around different focuses whether it is skills-based, support, or processing. Normally a group facilitator or therapist will run the group so it’s constructive and order can be kept during the process.
What to Expect in Your First Group Therapy Session
In your first group therapy session, you can expect an introduction process so everyone can get to know each other’s names and you’ll learn the ground rules. Learning how the sharing process in group counseling works, along with the confidentiality boundaries in a group setting is important. Especially since each group can be run differently, it’s important to listen to any rules that are discussed so you are following the group correctly.
Normally, participation is encouraged, and any anxiety about sharing will be discussed with the group. The group coordinator is happy to talk through all of those issues as well. Attending group therapy and talking openly about your experience helps bring a unique perspective to your problems, and helps you feel less alone in your experience.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Addiction Recovery
Some great benefits when participating in group therapy are developing communication skills and social skills. Learning to listen to different perspectives, hear how people view problems differently, and learn how others solve similar problems will give you a lot of new perspectives to tackle your own issues [1].
You also get to have a lot of feedback on anything you share along with continued accountability. Group therapy also improves isolation by spending time with others during your recovery and you’ll feel less like your struggles are just your own, everyone will be able to share with you in a way. In a sense, group therapy sessions provide a built-in support network.
The Synergy Between Individual and Group Therapy
Although individual therapy is solely focused on your progress, it’s important to remember that there is always more to talk therapy than just your specific goals. Learning things like socializing and getting perspective in group therapy is just as important.
In individual sessions, your therapist might even suggest socialization or exposure therapy to others going through similar situations, so you are already getting the benefit before it’s recommended. You also have varying support, whether it be from your specific therapist in your sessions, or from your peers in the group, it helps expand your support network [3].
Clear Behavioral Health’s Approach to Therapy in Addiction Treatment
At Clear Behavioral Health we have a client-centered approach to treatment, as we understand that each person is different which makes your healing journey and therapeutic process unique.
We incorporate different therapy styles like individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and holistic modalities. We understand that having an integrated approach creates a proper foundation for your recovery. We also ensure our therapists are trauma-informed and culturally competent, so your specific experiences are heard and validated.
Related: What’s it Like Day-to-Day in Addiction Treatment Rehab?
Contact our experts today to start recovering from substance abuse with addiction treatment rehab in the Los Angeles, California area.
Addiction Therapy With Clear Behavioral Health
Individual therapy is a great way to work on your goals, while group therapy helps bring your perspective. When these are coupled together, your journey gets instilled with more tools than ever before.
At Clear Behavioral Health, our comprehensive approach to addiction therapy gives your recovery journey a lot of unique insight that will benefit you long-term. Getting the help you need is the bravest thing you can do, and we will be with you every step of the way.
Call us today to learn more about our addiction treatment programs in the Los Angeles, CA area including drug detox and alcohol detox in Redondo Beach, drug and alcohol rehab in Gardena, and outpatient substance abuse programs throughout California.
References
- Malhotra, A., Mars, J. A., & Baker, J. (2024, October 29). Group therapy. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549812/
- Psychotherapy: understanding group therapy. (n.d.). https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy
- Cognitive Behavior Institute. (n.d.). Group Therapy Vs Individual Therapy: Which is Right For You? Group Therapy Vs Individual Therapy: Which is Right For You? https://www.papsychotherapy.org/blog/group-therapy-vs-individual-therapy-which-is-right-for-you
