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How Does Group Therapy for Alcoholics Work?

Experience clinician-run addiction treatment at Red Oak Recovery® in the pristine Blue Ridge Mountains

How Does Group Therapy for Alcoholics Work?

Addiction can be isolating. It can also be challenging for family members and friends who don’t understand addiction or recovery. Group therapy for alcoholics can be a safe, healing way to stay on course. Whether it’s a 12-step program or an addiction group therapy program, solitary can make sobriety easier.

If you or a young man in your life is struggling with alcohol addiction, call Red Oak Recovery® today. Learn more about our holistic alcohol rehab programs for men ages 18-30 by calling 866.457.7590.

What Is Group Addiction Therapy?

Group therapy is a great way to build community during any stage of recovery. Like individual therapy, a qualified therapist leads group therapy sessions. They may use different techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to help the group express themselves and change their behavior over time. Benefits of group therapy include:

  • Solidarity
  • Accountability partners
  • Cost-effective healing
  • Mirroring
  • Long-term friendships
  • Built-in sober network
  • Motivation

Group therapy sessions provide members with the opportunity to reframe their addiction experiences. Unlike individual therapy, group therapy can help people see their addiction as being similar to that of other people. This is especially effective for alcoholics because alcohol is a prevalent part of our society.

Types of Group Therapy for Alcoholics

12-step programs are a common type of group therapy for alcohol rehab. They provide 12 actionable steps that members work through together. Originally based in Christianity, there are also non-denominational forms of 12-step programs and Red Oak Recovery® uses programming that respects all spiritual beliefs. 12-steps require participants to ask a higher power for help, make amends, and ask for forgiveness. They also provide sponsorship through alumni who have already completed their steps. The best part of 12-step group therapy is that members move at the pace that works for them.

Other types of group therapy include outdoor therapies, art therapy, yoga, and meditation. While these therapies may be less vocal than traditional group therapy, they can help people connect, release stress, and heal together.

Do I Need Group Therapy for Alcoholics?

Group therapy can be deeply healing. Here are some signs group therapy might be right for you:

  • You glamorize drinking
  • You struggle with anger rumination
  • You’ve tried other types of therapy
  • You struggle with guilt and shame
  • You lack a strong sober community
  • Your family doesn’t understand addiction
  • You have trouble changing habits
  • You’re struggling with relationships
  • You have anxiety
  • You frequently self-isolate
  • You’ve experienced depressive episodes
  • You are ready to help yourself

Group therapy won’t heal alcoholism overnight. However, it will help people hold each other accountable, change behaviors, and heal together. Whether you love group activities or prefer to be alone, group therapy can help you establish boundaries, improve communication, and instigate healthy change.

Begin Addiction Group Therapy for Young Men at Red Oak Recovery® Today!

Group therapy can be one of the best ways for those living with alcohol addiction to heal. If you or a young man in your life needs support for alcohol, call Red Oak Recovery® today. Our holistic North Carolina addiction treatment center helps young men living with addiction and co-occurring disorders. We treat process addiction, disordered eating, unprocessed trauma, as well as mood disorders for comprehensive healing.

Young men ages 18-30 come to Red Oak to disconnect from school, work, and digital life and reconnect with nature. We pair ecotherapy with traditional psychotherapy for deep healing. Our holistic approach helps men build resilience, develop tools for daily life, and address harmful cultural expectations that lead to addiction. Come to Red Oak for alcohol rehab and stay in the North Carolina wilderness. Learn more about what Red Oak can do for you now by calling us at 866.457.7590 to begin group therapy for alcoholics.