Substance Abuse Group Counseling

Looking for information on the specific goals of substance abuse group counseling and how therapists can ensure group members receive the support they need for recovery? 

You might be wondering about this if you’re going to be facilitating a group addiction counseling session.

Humans are naturally drawn to each other, making group therapy an effective option for addressing substance abuse—now commonly referred to as substance use disorder to reduce stigma.

Substance use disorders can have serious consequences—including health problems, difficulties in meeting responsibilities, and disabilities—and substance abuse group counseling offers many benefits for healing. 

As a therapist, keep in mind that your knowledge, training, and approach can impact the success of this treatment modality. 

In this article, I’ll cover the different types of groups that treatment professionals commonly use, along with group activities for addiction counseling so that members can explore their experiences and build their coping skills. 

What is substance abuse group counseling?

Substance abuse group counseling, also known as group addiction counseling, is a form of therapy where individuals—including adolescents, adults, and the elderly—meet as a group to discuss their struggles and receive feedback and support from one another. 

As group members share their stories, they feel validated and understood, and they’ll realize they’re not alone. Being in a group can motivate them to keep persevering toward positive change. 

As a substance abuse group counselor, your role in the group is to:

• Evaluate a client’s readiness for change
  
• Plan an approach that meets their needs
  
• Help them develop and practice coping skills to break free from their addictions
  
• Create and maintain a safe space, conducive for healing
• Collaborate with other professionals involved in their care

Different substance use disorder groups

As substance use disorder treatment professionals, we employ different therapy group models that vary in their techniques and the experiences they provide to group members. 

So, how do we know which type or technique to use? 

The answer would be to base it on the needs and goals of members. For example, those who’ll benefit from learning specific techniques to refuse offers of drugs or overcome their urges will mostly gain from groups focused on skills development.

Let’s explore five common techniques to use in substance abuse group counseling below.

1. Psychoeducational groups

Awareness can play a huge role in helping people realize that addiction to substances is indeed a problem, which allows them to make healthier choices. 

Psychoeducational groups, as the name suggests, focus on giving clients thorough information about the impact of substance use on their lives. 

The factual information clients gain can counteract their denial about their problem, including some misconceptions they may have. These misconceptions may include thoughts like, “I can quit anytime I want” or “Treatment is only for ‘real’ addicts.”

Some group counseling topics for adults to discuss include:

• The nature of addiction and substance use
  
• Triggers for substance use disorder
  
• Cognitive distortions or irrational thoughts that hinder recovery
  
• The consequences (short-term and long-term) of substance use disorder 

2. Skills development groups 

The major goal of skills development groups is to equip members with the practical skills needed to manage their triggers, cravings, and other challenges that come with their addiction. 

Skills development groups have based their approach on the assumption that people who rely on substances do it as a means of coping unhealthily. It is also possible that these individuals lost their ability to cope healthily after using substances. 

Here are some group counseling activities for substance abusers in skills development groups: 

• Discussions on identifying personal triggers or warning signs for substance use, such as feeling stressed, bored, or angry—or being in certain environments.
  
• Role-playing scenarios that simulate real-life situations, such as peer pressure and feeling overwhelmed at work.
  
• Creating scripts where clients can practice saying no to drugs and alcohol.
  
• Doing mindfulness exercises, such as focusing on breathing and body scan meditations

You can also adapt some of the activities above as  virtual group counseling activities using HIPAA-compliant telehealth video. 

Group leaders must be able to properly demonstrate the skills they need members to learn. Combining role-playing, discussions, exercises, and homework assignments will help in reinforcing these skills. 

3. Cognitive-behavioral/problem-solving groups

During the early stages of your client’s recovery, they benefit from participating in cognitive-behavioral groups that use cognitive restructuring. 

Cognitive restructuring is a technique where clients begin to notice their maladaptive thoughts, question their validity, and explore alternative ways of thinking. Addressing these “errant” beliefs allows them to maintain sobriety. 

These beliefs in the recovery process could include:

• “I’m too far gone to recover.”
  
• “I’ve failed at recovery in the past, so I might fail again this time.”
  
• “I need substances to help me cope with my feelings.”

If you’re using cognitive restructuring for teens versus adults in group counseling, be sure to take into account their ability to understand concepts and activities that are likely to grab their interest. 

For example, teen group activities for substance abuse counseling are typically more interactive, whereas activities for adults will involve more reflection and introspection, such as these motivational group therapy activities. 

When it comes to dealing with the three types of substance use—experimental use, recreational use, and substance dependence—cognitive-behavioral groups may help in the following ways:

• Experimental use: Helps group members understand the risks and negative outcomes of experimenting with substances. For instance, you could discuss how continued use eventually leads to a higher tolerance. 
• Recreational use: Even those who use alcohol and drugs recreationally can benefit from cognitive-behavioral groups by learning how to deal with triggers in social settings that lead to their substance use. 
• Substance dependence: For individuals who are already using substances compulsively, cognitive-behavioral groups can help them gain a sense of mastery over their thoughts and actions. This can increase their commitment to recovery. 

4. Support groups

Support groups help members in many aspects of their recovery. One of the challenges members experience during the early stages of substance use disorder recovery is facing day-to-day obstacles. Examples are social gatherings where alcohol or drugs are present and relationship problems. 

This is where mutual support from substance abuse group counseling members becomes useful. One research article notes that participating in treatments that include peer support groups leads to an increased likelihood of abstinence. 

While the previous types of groups have a directive leadership style—meaning, the leader takes an active role—support groups are less directive. 

However, they need to model the right behaviors, such as being understanding of others’ unique experiences, respecting boundaries, not forcing others to disclose information, and saying encouraging words like “You’re not alone. We’re here to support you.” 

5. Interpersonal process groups

For clients who feel stuck in a one-on-one setting, joining an interpersonal process group might be the answer. 

Drug and alcohol use can greatly affect relationships with a spouse, family members, friends, and colleagues. In an interpersonal process group, members can explore and develop new, healthier ways of interacting with others. 

Interpersonal process group activities for substance abuse counseling may include:

• Role-playing exercises where members can practice assertiveness and conflict resolution.
  
• Giving and receiving constructive feedback on their interactions.
  
• Sharing words of affirmation, such as “I admire your strength” and “I appreciate your honesty,” so that other members feel appreciated and encouraged.

Whatever the activity, the goal is to improve relationships. As a therapist or group counselor, you need to closely observe relational dynamics and model effective communication.  

Group addiction counseling resources for clients

If you have clients needing referrals to specific addiction counseling groups, it’s important to familiarize yourself with different group names so that you can make appropriate recommendations. 

For instance, some groups specialize in certain substances or drug categories, such as alcohol, marijuana, and narcotics, whereas other groups are gender-specific. 

Below are some popular addiction groups: 

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
• Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
• Marijuana Anonymous (MA)
• Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)
• Celebrate Recovery
• SMART Recovery

Some groups are also meant for loved ones—family and friends—of those who are struggling with substance use disorder. These groups offer encouragement and guidance. 

Examples of these groups include:

• Al-Anon
• Nar-Anon
• Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)

Closing thoughts on substance abuse group counseling

No matter the specific type or style of group addiction counseling, support groups give hope to those who may be dealing with hopelessness and other overwhelming feelings as a result of their addiction. 

Being with others going through the same challenges makes them realize they’re not alone. 

The education you provide, the  skills you teach, and the empathy you show to clients will go a long way in helping them achieve a successful recovery. 

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