Substance Detox and Group Therapy Support

Group Therapy in Detox | Supportive Addiction Recovery Programs

It is common to feel scared or alone as you enter detox. At Sunrise Detox, we offer group therapy in detox to help you feel connected and supported in the early days of recovery.

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy provided by a therapist to a group of people at the same time. In addiction treatment, it provides a space where individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) can engage with others who understand the day-to-day struggles of living with addiction. 

Peer-Based Support Sessions

Peer-based support is especially important during detox because it helps to foster a connection with others who often share many of the same struggles and experiences that you have. Engaging with your peers can offer insight into ways others handle cravings and live with their triggers. These discussions also serve as a reminder that you are human, not broken, and that recovery is possible. 

Safe Space to Share Experiences

Group therapy offers a safe space where participants can share their experiences with addiction. This sharing helps to normalize what you are going through and reminds you that you are not alone. It also helps you to develop connections with your peers that encourage hope and accountability.

How Group Therapy Enhances Detox

Detox can feel isolating and scary. Group therapy is one way to keep you engaged and focused on the next step in the recovery process.

Building Community and Learning from Others

Group therapy offers peer support for addiction, rooted in a shared understanding of how difficult it can be to live with SUD. In this setting, participants gain the practical tools they need to navigate detox more effectively and begin to build the healthy coping skills that are essential for sustained recovery. It also allows them to connect with others who know what it’s like to be scared, isolated, or overwhelmed during this critical time. 

Types of Group Therapy Offered

Group therapy is offered in different forms. This is one component of a comprehensive treatment program that helps you build a future without addiction. 

Psychoeducational Groups

Psychoeducational groups are structured sessions of group therapy that are facilitated by an addiction specialist who provides education on addiction. Topics that are commonly covered include:

• Identifying triggers
• How addiction impacts the brain
• Why cravings can be so difficult to combat
• Family dynamics and the role of support systems
• Why adherence to a treatment plan is the best way to support long-term recovery
• Relapse prevention strategies

Support Circles

Support circles are a form of substance abuse group counseling generally defined by a peer-led gathering that offers a safe space of understanding, accountability, and shared experiences. Common examples of a support circle include 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery. 

Skill-Building Workshops

Skill-building workshops are a form of group therapy that can be integrated into a comprehensive treatment program. Individuals will learn skills to help them manage stress, develop relapse prevention strategies, and build a life outside of addiction.

Participants may learn tips on time management or how to communicate effectively with others. Some groups offer skills to support employment, such as resume writing or interview coaching. Others may focus on emotional regulation and offer practical ways to manage anxiety or recognize triggers without turning to substance use. 

Benefits of Group Participation

Group therapy offers a space that nurtures healing and creates an environment that supports recovery. 

Reduced Isolation

Isolation puts you at risk of relapse. Group therapy creates a welcoming space where people can feel seen, supported, and reminded that they are not alone. Sharing the recovery journey with others who understand how difficult living with addiction can be helps ease feelings of loneliness and shame, replacing them with connection, hope, and encouragement.

Shared Accountability

One way that group therapy supports recovery is through a sense of shared commitment and responsibility. Group members not only offer each other encouragement and support, but they also offer each other “gentle” accountability by helping each other to stay honest, engaged, and focused on sustained recovery. 

Increased Motivation 

Motivation can be hard to maintain alone. Group therapy offers a place where you not only receive support and encouragement, but also the motivation you need to keep working toward recovery. The sense of belonging fostered in a group therapy session helps individuals to stay hopeful, engaged, and focused on their long-term goals even on the darkest of days.

Combining Group Therapy with Detox

At Sunrise Detox, we offer individuals in our medically supervised detox program the option to participate in group therapy. This safe space allows you to engage with other individuals who understand how difficult living with addiction can be.

Group Sessions During Withdrawal

Our optional group therapy sessions are offered twice daily during your stay at Sunrise Detox. Many individuals feel that participation in these groups helps them reflect on their recovery experiences and learn healthy coping skills, especially in the earliest days of recovery. Hearing from others who have been in similar situations also helps to build a personal connection with others that helps to reduce feelings of isolation, guilt, and shame. 

Emotional Resilience Building

Participating in group therapy at Sunrise Detox builds emotional resilience by providing a safe space for participants to explore emotions, learn from others, and grow stronger through personal connection. 

For many individuals, substance use was previously used as a way to cope with distress and discomfort. Group therapy offers the opportunity to develop healthy coping strategies, gain perspective through shared experiences, and practice managing uncomfortable feelings in supportive ways without turning to self-destructive behaviors. Over time, this process strengthens emotional stability and builds confidence, laying the foundation for sustained recovery. 

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