When it comes to addiction treatment, therapy is a staple for most rehab centers. A common type of counseling that people engage in is group therapy. Typically, people think of meetings when group therapy activities come to mind. However, a number of activities fall into the group counseling category. Group therapy is an essential part of addiction recovery for many of our Portland clients.
Group Therapy Activities
As the name suggests, group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that occurs in a group setting. Many therapy methods fit into this category. They simply provide treatment for more than one person at the same time.
Discovering a Supportive Sober Community
With such a loose requirement, people can participate in many group therapy activities. It’s essential for them to find activities that complement their interests and treatment plans. Not to mention, these activities help add an element of fun to their recovery process.
Being Ready For Treatment
Perhaps one of the most important things you can do to ensure that you are getting the most out of addiction treatment is to be active and ready to work hard and overcome old habits. This is a very complex process with numerous steps you need to work through to achieve your best outcome. We can help you every step of the way. Here are a few tips to help you do well.
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Play an Active Role
When you are engaged in drug and alcohol treatment, be involved as much as possible. There are simple things you can do – even if they seem hard to do – that can make a difference:
- Speak up in group meetings.
- Ask the questions you have.
- Engage with others to listen and hear their story.
- Tell your story.
- Be as honest as you can with yourself and others.
The more you involve yourself in the process of getting healthy, the more you will get out of the process. Getting the most out of addiction treatment has to start with following the guidelines provided to you.
Art Therapy
Therapists or counselors use art therapy for kids and adults alike. While this therapy works as a type of individual counseling, it shines as a group activity. Through artwork, therapists or counselors can identify people that may be struggling with personality disorders. In terms of addiction treatment, identifying these disorders is key to supporting lasting recovery.
Through art therapy, counselors help clients with a range of skills. These skills include impulse control, emotion regulation, behavior changes, comprehension, and perception of self. In a group setting, it also allows people to share their artwork. It also encourages the open discussion of artwork as well as the meaning behind it.
Cooking Therapy
Food can speak a universal language. Cooking therapy is wonderful for those with trouble opening up. Cooking together inspires communication, trust, and responsibility. These are all areas people must work on during addiction rehab.
Cooperation is likely the most significant skill to come from cooking therapy. For example, working together to achieve a common goal helps participants get to know each other and develop a natural support system.
In terms of group therapy activities, few offer a more rewarding outcome than cooking therapy. For those who put in the work, the payout is worth the effort.
Games
Icebreakers are extremely valuable in group therapy. Not everyone feels comfortable surrounded by new people. Quick games make it easier to get to know others. Board games, memory games, or even hangman are great group therapy activities that help anxious people relax.
One game that works well for group therapy is “Find the Person.” To play, everyone shares a few things about themselves. The therapist or counselor writes down fun facts about each person and hands them out. They then take turns finding who the facts belong to. While these games break the ice, they provide therapeutic benefits as well. They help with building up confidence and support amongst the group.
Talk About Your Needs
It is also important to talk about what is happening with you throughout your treatment and recovery. Do you need support that you are not getting? Are you frustrated and overwhelmed with relationships at home? What are your goals for therapy, and what do you need to achieve those goals? Talk about your needs and express them with your recovery team so you can make any adjustments and give yourself the best chance of recovery.
As a client it was a very good experience. The therapist were top notch and extremely helpful. Wide variety of therapy and always had my best interest. Activities every weekend to show that we can have fun being sober and they showed me the way to live an alcohol and drug free happy life! If you are contemplating on treatment I would highly recommend going through Crestview it will change your life!!
– Stephen
Embrace the Care You Desire
You may feel responsible for being at home and caring for your family. Right now, you need to focus on you. Getting the most out of addiction treatment for you may mean more intense care, such as through our partial hospitalization treatment (PHP) or an intensive outpatient program (IOP) programs. When you need more help, take it.
Crestview Recovery Provides Group Therapy
At Crestview Recovery, we know the major role group therapy plays in rehab treatment. In fact, group therapy is a staple in our recovery program. Beyond that, we provide many other programs, including:
- Individual therapy
- Extended care with 90-day programs
- Outpatient rehab
- Partial hospitalization
- Gender-specific rehab
Crestview Recovery also offers dual diagnosis treatment. This method of addiction care is critical in treating underlying mental health issues. Dealing with these problems is key in helping you achieve a full recovery and stay sober. Of course, the chances of relapse are much greater without our guidance in addressing these issues. Over 70,000 drug overdose deaths occur in the U.S. every year, but you don’t need to be a statistic. Finding the right group of people to support you can make all the difference.
Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex disease that impacts a variety of elements of your health and wellbeing. It affects different people in a variety of different ways. Therefore, everyone needs a specialized treatment plan. Many people benefit from group therapy and holistic drug rehab therapy. At Crestview Recovery, it is one of the many different treatment options we offer. Our goal is to find a treatment plan that works for you to help you achieve lifelong recovery.
What Is Group Therapy?
It is important to see group therapy as an opportunity to interact with others who have the same struggle you have. Group therapy in drug rehab occurs when a group of people, often who share the same or similar circumstances, talk about what there are experiencing. There is no pressure in this environment. Rather, it is meant to be a time to open up, learn, and listen. Though each program is a bit different than the next, the central goal is to help you learn from others.
Benefits of Group Therapy in Addiction Recovery
Group therapy in drug rehab can provide a wide range of solutions for those in addiction. For many reasons, it can be a very powerful component of your treatment. Some of the benefits you have may include:
- Learning for what others experience
- Sharing your struggles and opening up freely in a safe environment
- Feeling compassion for others
- Supporting other people
- Listening to solutions other people have had
- Rebuilding relationship tools
Most drug and alcohol treatment programs will include group therapy, to some level. It does not replace individual therapy for drug and alcohol addiction where you will work one-on-one with your therapist.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.