Being part of a welcoming community of peers with shared life experiences can lower the risk of relapse and improve the effectiveness of treatment. You can benefit from attending multiple forms of group therapy during rehabilitation. The clinical team at 449 Recovery use group therapy as part of our treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), group therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool for treating substance abuse. At 449 Recovery, we tailor each session to meet the needs of every participant.

Many people who struggle with SUD have multiple mental health issues that require treatment. Group therapy can help people heal together and provide long-term relief from symptoms and side effects.

Peer Support and Mental Health

Most people in recovery experience mild to severe symptoms related to mental health. The risk of developing co-occurring conditions increases if you have a history of chronic stress, anxiety, trauma, or depression. Research in Mental Health in Family Medicine has shown the benefits of group therapy. Peer support is known to improve mental health in clients with SUD, and attending both individual and group therapy can enhance the effectiveness of both treatments.

Known benefits of peer support and group therapy include:

• Creating interpersonal connections
• Increasing social skills
• Encouraging practice with setting social boundaries
• Developing a larger support system
• Decreasing isolation and loneliness
• Providing an action-oriented space for problem-solving issues related to recovery
• Challenging irrational beliefs
• Improving self-awareness
• Facilitating community accountability and self-accountability

Participating in mental health groups gives you an outside perspective on the issues and challenges you will face during treatment and recovery. Everyone at 449 Recovery has a voice, and group therapy is one area where you can be heard and understood by people who relate to your situation. Interacting with peers who have similar life experiences can give you insights into the recovery process and provide a healthy outlet for processing emotions.

What to Expect From Mental Health Groups

Group therapy during treatment at 449 Recovery differs significantly from the 12-Step program and other self-help groups that many people attend during aftercare. Therapy at 449 Recovery targets specific aspects of mental health using evidence-based methods while community self-help groups offer peer advice and support.

You can expect to share your experiences, successes, and concerns with peers and challenge problematic thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. You will be able to look at your circumstances from a new perspective.

Mental Health Groups at 449 Recovery

Most people seeking treatment have experienced some form of trauma. We use a trauma-informed approach to care and prioritize getting to the root cause of any trauma or maladaptive behavior through one-on-one and group therapy. The mental health groups at 449 Recovery include:

• Psychoeducation: Many clients and their families are unaware of how addiction can affect mental health and behavior. Psychoeducation provides insights and accurate information about the realities of addiction to facilitate positive changes.
• Holistic and experiential therapies: Clients can reprocess traumatic or stressful events using various alternative holistic or experiential methods. The mind and body heal by analyzing and reprocessing events, memories, or thoughts in a safe and controlled environment.
• Art therapy: The client uses art and music creation to increase mindfulness, self-awareness, and healthy self-expression. Art therapy can take place in a group setting or one-on-one.
• Gender process group: Our gender-specific groups allow clients to address issues they may feel less comfortable discussing in coed groups. LGBTQIA+ clients can participate in whichever group makes them most comfortable.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) group: Each group session focused on helping clients learn to improve essential coping skills, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal communication, and emotion regulation.
• Mindfulness-based group: Developing mindfulness-based techniques and skills prepares clients to cope with everyday stressors and uncomfortable situations. Mindfulness-based groups use a wide range of activities and topics to address challenges during treatment.
• Meditation group: Learning to relax the mind and body using meditation techniques can lower stress, improve mood, and decrease the severity of mental health symptoms allowing clients to focus more fully on their recovery.
• Life after treatment: Treatment is the start of recovery, not the end. During “life after recovery” group sessions, clients are encouraged to create preventative strategies to help them overcome issues they may face after completing treatment.

Group Support Lowers the Risk of Relapse

Group and peer support are essential during aftercare to keep you accountable and provide vital resources to help you maintain sobriety. Relapse prevention is something you will work on before leaving treatment. However, maintaining preventative measures requires dedication and continued motivation. Peer support can keep you motivated and provide you with short-term and long-term goals that keep you moving forward in your recovery. Some of the most popular forms of peer support during aftercare include 12-Step meetings, self-help groups, and sponsor or mentor relationships.

Mental health treatment is a critical part of rehab. You are more likely to feel confident in your recovery and transition successfully to the next level of care if you have a strong foundation, including coping skills and the necessary tools to manage any lingering symptoms. Everyone needs support sometimes, and the encouragement of peers can help you feel less isolated during the treatment process and ongoing recovery. Group therapy is one way we address trauma, stress, and any co-occurring mental health conditions that might interfere with healing. The experts at 449 Recovery use evidence-based methods like group therapy to personalize programs. Everyone comes to us with unique experiences, challenges, and recovery goals. Our team believes that everyone deserves a second chance. We will collaborate with you to create a comprehensive care plan. Learn more about our facility or get help today by calling (949) 435-7449.