Group therapy

Group therapy for addiction brings people together to work on recovery. A trained therapist leads the group, but much of the healing comes from connecting with the other participants who understand what you’re going through. Many people feel nervous about group therapy at first, as the idea of sharing personal struggles with strangers can feel exposing. But group therapy for substance abuse and behavioural addiction has long proven to offer unique recovery benefits and breakthroughs.

alcohol detox group rehab

What is group therapy for addiction recovery?

Group therapy is where several people meet regularly with a therapist to address addiction issues together. Groups typically include 6-12 people and meet once or twice a week, though in residential rehab, you may attend group sessions every day.

The therapist guides discussions, teaches coping skills, offers encouragement, and ensures everyone has a chance to participate. Unlike individual therapy, where the focus is entirely on you, group therapy is an opportunity to learn from each other’s successes and mistakes.

Group therapy for drug addiction and alcoholism can take different forms. Some groups are teaching-focused, which means they focus on information about addiction, triggers, and relapse prevention. Other groups focus on emotions and what’s happening in your life, where members discuss current struggles and receive feedback from others. Many rehab programmes use both types.

Why group therapy matters in recovery

Addiction is isolating. You may have pushed people away or felt too ashamed to be honest with your friends and family. Group therapy directly counters that isolation by putting you in a room with people who have been where you are. Hearing someone else describe exactly what you’ve experienced makes you realise your struggles aren’t unique or shameful.

Groups also provide accountability in ways individual therapy doesn’t. When you tell a group you’re going to try a new coping strategy or avoid a certain situation, you’re more likely to follow through because you know you need to report back. This gentle pressure helps when your own motivation wavers.

How does group therapy work alongside other therapies and treatments?

In comprehensive drug and alcohol rehab, you will attend group sessions alongside individual counselling, behavioural therapies, and sometimes holistic therapies. Successful recovery usually needs this kind of mix, with group therapy providing the community and accountability piece that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Individual therapy gives you space to work on personal issues that are too private or complex for group discussion. This can be a good way to start processing trauma, working through family dynamics, practising your own coping strategies, and receiving real-time feedback. You can then discuss these with your group to see how other members have approached the same challenges.

If you are learning CBT techniques in individual sessions, group therapy lets you hear how others challenge their own unhelpful thoughts. This sharing of ideas is always encouraged because someone else’s approach may work better for you than those suggested by your therapist.

Medical aspects of treatment, like detox and medication management, all happen separately from group therapy but still support it. You can’t focus on psychological recovery if you’re still in acute withdrawal, so you first need to be stabilised for group therapy to be effective.

Aftercare often relies heavily on group therapy. Once you leave residential substance abuse or behavioural rehab, continuing with outpatient group sessions can maintain your connections and accountability. Many people also join peer-led local support groups like AA meetings or NA meetings, which are similar to professional group therapy but without a therapist.

Common fears about group therapy

Many people considering alcohol and drug rehab have worries about group therapy specifically. These concerns are normal, but addressing them upfront often makes the actual experience less daunting than expected:

“I won’t know what to say.”

You don’t have to speak perfectly or share deep secrets immediately as most groups establish a rule that you can pass if you’re not ready to talk. Simply listening helps at first, and as you get more comfortable, speaking becomes easier.

“Everyone will judge me.”

People in group therapy understand everything you’re feeling because they feel it too. Groups develop trust quickly, and you may be surprised by how supportive everyone is.

“My problems are different.”

Even if substances or behaviours differ, the emotional patterns driving addiction are remarkably similar. Someone with a gambling addiction often faces many of the same triggers and thought patterns as someone with a heroin addiction. The specifics matter less than you’d think.

“It won’t be as helpful as one-on-one therapy.”

Evidence shows group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy, and sometimes more so. The combination of both often gives the strongest results, but group therapy alone provides substantial benefits.

Who can benefit from group therapy?

Group therapy works well for most people in addiction recovery, but it is particularly valuable if you:

Feel isolated or like nobody understands what you’re experiencing
Struggle to open up in one-on-one settings but find group dynamics easier
Need accountability and structure beyond what individual therapy provides
Benefit from hearing different perspectives and approaches to similar problems
Want to practice relationship and social skills in a safe environment
Find hope in seeing others succeed in recovery

Many people who assume they won’t like group therapy end up finding it the most valuable part of their treatment. The fears that make you hesitant often dissolve once you’re actually sitting with people who accept you without judgment.

What to look for in a rehab centre offering group therapy

First, check whether the programme employs qualified therapists to lead groups, not just peer supporters. While peer support is valuable, trained therapists can step in effectively when conflicts arise or when someone needs additional support.

Ask about group size. Smaller groups allow more individual attention. Larger groups offer more perspectives but less chance for everyone to talk. Most effective programmes keep groups small enough that everyone can participate in each session.

You can also look for programmes that offer different types of groups. For example, a good rehab centre might run groups that teach information on specific recovery topics, groups focused on emotions and what’s happening in your life, and educational groups for practising techniques.

You should also check whether group therapy continues in aftercare. The transition from residential treatment to regular life is when relapse is most likely, but continued group attendance can make a huge difference.

Getting the right support

Recovery.org can talk you through how different programmes structure their group work and what to expect from sessions. Contact us today and we will talk through which approaches may work best for you. The right mix of support makes recovery possible, and group therapy is always an important part of that mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

For which issues or conditions is group therapy most suitable?

Group therapy works well for most addiction types, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, and also eating disorders and other compulsive behaviours. It is particularly effective when isolation, shame, loss of self-esteem, and relationship difficulties are part of your addictive patterns. Group therapy also helps with co-occurring mental health struggles, as these often improve through social connection and shared coping strategies.

What is the typical structure or phase breakdown of group therapy?

Most group sessions follow a similar pattern: check-in where each person briefly shares how they’re doing, a main topic or exercise led by the therapist, group discussion about applying that topic to real life, and closing comments. The sessions often evolve as you progress, with early groups focusing on understanding addiction and stopping use, and later ones emphasising long-term recovery and rebuilding life.

How long do people usually remain in group therapy?

There is no fixed endpoint to group therapy. In residential rehab, you will attend group therapy for the duration of your stay, which is typically somewhere between a 28-day package and a 90-day package. After leaving, many people continue outpatient group therapy for a year through aftercare or even longer. Some attend peer support groups like Gambling Anon or CA meetings indefinitely.