Group Therapy

Research has shown that group therapy, the primary modality at Waypoint, is the most effective form of addiction treatment. Groups are varied and include process groups, gender-specific groups, and psycho-educational groups. Patients also will participate in nursing groups as well as a physician lecture.

Group Therapy for Substance use Disorders 

Group therapy can be an extremely effective part of the rehabilitation process for those who are working to overcome a substance use disorder. At Waypoint Recovery Center, we offer flexible group therapy services for focused groups with an emphasis on meeting the needs of the shared community when individuals come together for therapy. In each of these cases, the camaraderie that can develop among members of a group is a powerful aid in the therapeutic process. Or, to put in the words of the American Psychological Association, a major benefit of group therapy—one that makes it distinct from individual approaches to therapy—is the development of “a common identity and sense of shared purpose.”

Finding Support in Group Therapy

That sense of shared purpose allows group members to provide support for one another, make progress toward individual and group-defined goals, and simply make each person feel a bit less alone in their struggles. Group therapy builds a culture of accountability—and that can serve as a powerful motivator for each individual to pursue well-being not only for their own sake but as part of their responsibility to the entire group.

At Waypoint, skills-building or psycho-educational groups are provided throughout treatment. Topics include, but aren’t limited to:

• Addiction and disease education
• Relapse prevention
• Relapse Triggers
• How to manage cravings
• Self-management of emotions
• Living Healthy and Sober
• Anger Management
• Grief and loss

Unlike skills-building or psycho-educational groups, process groups are led by a member of the clinical team. These groups are where patients can openly discuss their feelings, addiction, and other issues. Gender-specific groups allow patients the freedom to discuss issues that they may not feel comfortable discussing in a coed group.

Family issues groups allow patients to discuss how their addiction has impacted their family or friends, as well as how things in their lives may be contributing to their substance use.

Trauma-related groups: Many of our patients have experienced trauma at some point in their life. Dealing with one’s traumatic experiences is extremely important. However, while at Waypoint, the primary focus of treatment is sobriety and starting the journey toward long-term sobriety. Effective trauma therapy is typically a longer-term process. Since patients are only at Waypoint a short time, it is not clinically advisable to start in-depth trauma work. Also, it is difficult to really resolve the trauma-related issues until the individual has been sober or clean for at least 60-90 days. Waypoint assesses for trauma and identifies trauma work that needs to happen once the individual is ready to work on those issues in a longer-term outpatient setting. Waypoint does offer a trauma group. It is not designed to address or resolve a history of trauma, but rather to help the individual understand the relationship between trauma and addiction.

Benefits of Group Therapy for Substance Use Disorders 

The benefits of group therapy are well documented but for some people—especially those with more introverted personalities or a strong desire to maintain their privacy—the idea of getting together with strangers to discuss problems and personal experiences can be quite intimidating.

Here are some key advantages of group therapy for substance use disorders:

Peer Support and Empathy: Group therapy provides a supportive and empathetic environment where individuals can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. This sense of shared experience can reduce feelings of isolation and shame. 

Reduced Stigma: Group therapy reduces the stigma associated with addiction. Participants can openly discuss their struggles without fear of judgment, as everyone in the group is there for the same reason.

Feedback and Accountability: Group members can provide feedback, encouragement, and constructive criticism to one another. This accountability can motivate individuals to stay committed to their recovery goals.

Diverse Perspectives: Group therapy often includes individuals from various backgrounds and life experiences. This diversity can provide different perspectives and insights, enriching the therapeutic process.

At Waypoint Recovery Center, we understand those concerns. We are committed to helping each person we serve find their own comfort level in a group therapy setting. For example, we encourage group therapy participants to find a time to talk directly with the facilitating therapist so that a shared understanding of a person’s boundaries can be established. The therapist will work to ensure those boundaries are not crossed in the course of group therapy sessions. Knowing those boundaries are in place can help an individual feel more at ease during meetings of the group.

Finding Comfort in Community 

Over time, many people discover that they eventually feel more comfortable in group therapy than they ever expected they would. In fact, as therapy progresses, a person may find that they are willing and able to expand their boundaries so that they are willing to share more honestly and completely with their peers. That can be a wonderful thing because, as with so much else in life, what a person gets out of group therapy is directly related to how much they put in. Adopting a spirit of openness and honesty—and knowing that support can be both given and received in group meetings—can go a long way toward ensuring that group therapy has a positive, lasting impact on a person’s life.

Waypoint Recovery Center is dedicated to facilitating group therapy in an environment of mutual respect, support, and empathy. When those are the guiding principles, group therapy can be truly transformative for participants.