Group Therapy in Drug Treatment

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One of the most effective interventions for substance abuse is peer group therapy in drug treatment. A hallmark of most rehabs, peer group therapy is both logistically sensible and very beneficial to the recovering addict.

Clinical studies have shown that peer group therapy in drug treatment is about as effective for inducing long term sobriety as individual counseling, but most drug treatment programs will combine the two therapeutic treatments in a more comprehensive programming. Logistically, the use of peer group therapies in drug rehab allows recovering addicts to receive a maximal amount of therapeutic attention from a limited number of trained therapists; but peer group therapy in drug treatment is not offered as a cost saving, it is offered because it is very effective on a number of levels, and is generally quite welcomed and encouraging for recovering substance abusers.

A peer group therapy program in drug rehab offers recovering addicts the advice and experience of others going through a similar process, it offers them the hope that recovery is possible through the observation of other's recoveries and it creates a community or even familial feeling of support and a reduction in social isolation.

There are five basic therapeutic platforms for peer group therapy session in drug treatment, but by far the two most commonly employed methodologies are the support group and the cognitive educational group. To get the best benefit from group therapy in drug treatment, the group should be led by a trained addictions professional familiar with group sessions, and understanding of the encouragement and direction needed for the most productive healing.

Group therapy in drug treatment is often confused with 12 steps group meetings in addictions recovery, and although the two platforms of recovery assistance do have some similarities, they are fundamentally different methodologies. The 12 steps programming is less directed, has no limit on group size and although members are encouraged to participate, they may choose to remain silent. A group therapy session will be leader directed, will limit group sizes from between 6 and 12 members, and participation in some form from all participating members is demanded.