Group Therapy for Addiction in Wisconsin

At the beginning of your recovery journey, you may be wondering what your treatment path may look like. Every individual’s needs are different, which is why we offer a range of services that start with detox and range in focus. Your recovery path won’t look the same as everyone else’s, and that’s to be expected.

If you’re seeking help for addiction, our residential options include treatment options that include focused group therapy geared toward supporting you. At Wisconsin Recovery Institute, we work with individuals and develop plans based on their individual needs, stage of recovery, and treatment program.

At our addiction treatment center in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, our residential treatment programs provide 24/7 support and medical aid so that every stage of your recovery is completed safely with the proper intervention whenever necessary. Group therapy is a key part of that equation.

Group therapy is a form of therapy that involves a group of people (each struggling with addiction) coming together to share their experiences, offer support, and learn coping strategies. Group sessions are facilitated by a therapist, who encourages dialogue and interaction between the members. A group therapy session can focus on learning a particular coping skill, discussing a particular topic or experience, or being prompted by one individual’s question.

Group therapy provides a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can share their concerns, frustrations, and successes in their journey toward recovery. It is an effective way to build connections with others who are going through similar challenges and to gain a sense of community.

With the guidance of a therapist, group members can learn new skills and develop a better understanding of themselves and their addiction. Overall, group therapy can play a significant role in helping individuals overcome addiction and achieve long-term recovery.

Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), can be excellent sources of support for those recovering from addiction in an outpatient setting. They are often highly accessible and usually don’t cost anything to the recovering person.

However, they are not the same as targeted group therapy. While there may be lessons, topics, or “Big Book” discussions at support groups, they are frequently not run by professional therapists or addiction specialists. They may have rules regarding communication that group therapy may not feature, such as AA’s rule that anyone attending for the first time must share.

Individuals seeking them out for support or learning may find support groups unstructured because they are not created within a holistic healing program. Group therapy within a recovery treatment center is created in harmony with other programs, so there is an understanding between facilitators and no clashing of philosophy. The structure can more frequently be adapted to suit the needs of the group members, as opposed to working within an established template.

There are many benefits that group therapy and support groups share, such as support from other people with similar experiences of addiction. But people who haven’t had positive experiences with support groups may prefer group therapy at the beginning of their recovery journeys.

Support groups are often used to build a bridge from inpatient treatment to life outside of treatment. They’re often preferred for continuing the recovery journey and transitioning to a sober life outside of treatment. Individual case managers may recommend or connect individuals to support groups outside the treatment facility as part of sobriety upkeep.

Social support is a key factor in recovery, and inpatient recovery programs often feature it so individuals can build connections early on. Peers in group therapy can provide accountability as you go through your journey and frequently provide a base of support if you have questions about the process. Group therapy creates an environment where all participants are learning together, and thus can answer each other’s questions or concerns.

Here are some different types of group therapy, and what they can each offer the individual:

Skills Development Groups

This type of group therapy is highly specialized in helping the group members learn specific skills, such as emotional coping, conflict resolution, or maintaining interpersonal relationships. The group may follow a template of learning laid out by the therapist leading the group, or may serve to answer the questions and concerns of the group members.

In an addiction-focused setting, these groups aim to teach individuals about the nature of addiction itself. Group members may learn about the science of addiction, how addictive substances operate in the human body, or even the psychology of the addicted mind.

Cognitive-Behavioral Groups

Focused on the key tenets of cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy focused on this approach can take a variety of forms. But in general, it can help individual members by giving them support in challenging the negative beliefs and mental frameworks that may be feeding into their addiction.

Interpersonal Process Groups

This form of group therapy operates most similarly to individual psychotherapy sessions. Members of the group seek support from each other, and the presiding therapist will point out patterns or ask questions to prompt discussion. There’s usually a topic assigned at the beginning of the session to prompt discussion amongst the entire group.

Group therapy can be an integral part of addiction treatment and is often part of a holistic system of healing. Here are the different types of therapy you can undergo as part of inpatient treatment at Wisconsin Recovery Institute:

• Trauma-Informed Therapy: If you’ve suffered a traumatic event that is partly or entirely related to your addiction, trauma-informed therapy will help provide a comprehensive healing experience designed to address possible motivations behind your addiction.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This method of therapy focuses on preventing negative behavior and identifying thoughts, empowering the individual to take control of their own behavior. The point of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is to give the individual awareness and to help them become aware of their own personal thought patterns.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This approach to therapy combines many of the same principles of CBT with an added emphasis on mindfulness. Individuals undergoing Dialectical Behavior Therapy can receive support for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and much more.
• Experiential Therapy: Not all therapy and healing happen in a classroom, or in a targeted group. Individuals who undergo experiential therapy may find themselves acting out emotions or expressing them through artistic creation. Adventurous outings may be on the agenda for helping you find inner strength and conviction to maintain sobriety.
• Somatic Experience Therapy (SET): The body remembers trauma and stress, and this method of therapy is designed to help individuals release their stress to promote overall healing. Somatic Experience Therapy is often well-suited to individuals who don’t prefer talk therapy, have encountered trauma, or desire a more grounded and body-focused method of coping with stress.
• EMDR Therapy: EMDR (also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a cutting-edge form of therapy that focuses on reducing the impact of past traumatic memories via coping skills. EMDR geared toward addiction can be targeted toward cravings and healthy coping mechanisms.

Different group therapy sessions may vary in size, duration, and focus, but they all share the same fundamental goal of promoting personal growth through the power of shared experience. If you’re seeking recovery from a dual diagnosis, it may be a great opportunity to connect with other people facing your symptoms.

It can be intimidating to enter into recovery from your addiction, and you may feel hesitant to enter inpatient therapy due to the initial time investment and removal from your regular routine.

Group therapy can be a helpful tool for making connections and maintaining progress during this potentially stressful time. It’s alright if you feel nervous to enter into group therapy — everyone was there for the first time once, and you’ll be learning among people with similar experiences as you.

If you’re looking to recover in a safe, pleasant environment designed for connection, reach out to us today at Wisconsin Recovery Institute. We are ready to guide you through the process of scheduling an assessment that will decide the best treatment plan for your needs. Don’t wait. Start the journey toward a healthier you.