Many alcoholics have reported that group therapy is one of the most important things for helping them to stay sober. However, someone who has attended a group meeting might be curious as to how exactly something like this could help manage alcoholism.
In this article, we’re going to explain a bit about group therapy, group meetings, and alcoholism. You’ll learn how these unique forms of therapy can be beneficial for anyone hoping to recover from alcoholism.
Group Therapy & Group Meetings
Group therapy and group meetings are similar, but technically different forms of therapy. Both can be incredibly useful for helping a recovering alcoholic; however, they can be employed differently.
Both forms of therapy involve small groups of people who sit in a circle and communicate with each other. However, the function of each session can differ depending on the needs of the participants and the availability, or need, of a facilitator.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a form of therapy that involves a psychologist or counselor heading a group of people who struggle with similar conditions. Group therapy is highly effective for helping to counsel a large group of recovering alcoholics and is often used in rehab.
Group Meetings
Group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, are similar to group therapy. However, there may or may not be a facilitator. If there is a facilitator, they don’t necessarily need to be a counselor or psychologist – instead, they’re just someone directing the conversation for the group.
Group meetings are generally much more free-flowing than group therapy and focus on the exchange between the members of the group.
Why Would Group Therapy or Meetings Help?
Group therapy and group meetings can provide people with a number of benefits that they might not be able to reach just with conventional therapy.
The very act of sharing a therapy session with other people allows for a greater range of possibilities. These can include:
- The opportunity to learn and share knowledge and advice about addiction and recovery with other users
- The chance to work through difficult emotional problems with others who have gone through the same
- The freedom to openly discuss difficult personal problems in a non-judgmental space with people who genuinely care about you
Group meetings can be immensely useful on their own, especially for people in recovery. One of the toughest things about recovery is feeling like you’re going through it on your own. Group therapy can make you feel accepted as part of a community, which can help provide the strength needed to move forward with recovery.
Group meetings with therapy can be particularly beneficial, as the counselor or psychiatrist can provide group members with skills and coping techniques that can help them with their recovery. Members can then share and discuss their own take on these techniques.
Conclusion
Many recovering alcoholics claim that group meetings are one of the only things that helped to keep them sober. This is because these meetings can provide a safe space where recovering alcoholics can share knowledge and experience to help further each other’s recovery.
