Addictions And Group Therapy In Outpatient Treatment Of Patients
The support groups that 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.
Without a doubt, Group therapy works very well as a complement to psychological treatment of addictions. This makes sense, because it is a safe space in which the person can work with complete peace of mind.
You may have heard of them, but really, what do we know about group therapy for addiction treatment?
Group therapy is a way of working on detoxification from addictions that Helps modify patterns of behavior, thinking and the way you think, issues that an addict must continually struggle with. They are limitations that make an addict stay at the same point until he manages to break them.
Self-help groups focus on helping the addict overcome the mental and behavioral barriers caused by their illness, such as denial and shame. In fact, group therapy should emphasize overcoming these two drawbacks, since they are very important conditions when it comes to not being able to advance adequately in your recovery.
Is it difficult for the addict to do group therapy?
The truth is that it is not at all easy for a person who suffers from an addiction, whatever type it may be, to start group therapy, since they feel out of place and do not know any other person.
Added to this feeling of loneliness is the fact that at the beginning of the group therapy the addict brings an altered or distorted perception about himselfYou may even think that your illness is less serious than it really is or mistakenly compare yourself to others, establishing categories and false beliefs regarding the severity of the addiction. He doesn’t see what’s happening objectively.
This is what group therapies are about, where patients understand what they are really facing. In the sessions, participants see that the real situation is not the way they perceive it, but how others see it. This is what is colloquially known as confrontation and consists of looking in front of one’s own mirror seen with the help of fellow participants.
Another difficulty they encounter is that they have no control over the consumption of the substance or the behavior that makes them addicted. The group creates an environment in which they feel understoodand for them it is a little easier to face the real problem.
The great benefit of group addiction therapy is that very different people who have gone through a similar situation participate. This allows the patient to identify with others, and to believe support networks among patients as each one tells their experience and learns from each other.
In addition, group treatment brings back self-discipline and limits into their lives, so necessary to overcome addiction. It also allows them to get to know each other, learn from the experience of others and have first-hand information from those who have gone through the same thing. Furthermore, seeing how progress is being made generates optimism and the desire to change.
In group therapies, two tools are mainly used: an assessment and the way to face the problem. Until an addict surrenders to his illness, the moment does not come when he clearly sees two things, how others see him and how he himself perceives the situation. In reality, the professional exerts a mirror effect in which the addict reflects himself.
Although many may perceive it as a way of attacking, it is really bringing the person back to reality. Of course, To do so, you must always adopt an addict-centered approach, based on 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 celebrate.
The role of the therapist
In group therapy, it is the therapist who ensures that the dynamics are appropriate.. He is the one who coordinates the meeting and the participation of the people. The task of making the group an environment in which the addict can express himself freely and without fear of being judged is very important, at the same time, providing advice and guidelines so that people can put them into practice.
Are you looking for addiction treatment?
If you have an addiction-related problem and are looking for therapy services, contact our professionals.
In Fromm Wellness We specialize in addiction treatment, and provide both outpatient and inpatient services. On this page there is more information about how we work.
