Benefits Of Process Groups In Addiction Therapy

People receiving treatment for drug or alcohol addiction will be strongly encouraged and in many cases, required, to participate in group therapy, one of the most effective treatments for addiction.

Process groups are a type of group therapy that is led by one or two facilitators who are licensed therapists. While the facilitators offer gentle guidance, participants are given the space to discuss their drug and alcohol abuse, treatment journeys, and related topics like triggers, self-care, and ways to stay sober.

Continue reading to learn more about process groups, the benefits of process groups, process groups for addiction treatment, process groups versus support groups, and more.

What Is A Process Group?

A process group is a type of therapy that consists of a small group of people with similar experiences and one or two facilitators. Group members take turns sharing about their thoughts and feelings. Facilitators loosely oversee the direction of the conversation and offer professional guidance if and when needed.

Process groups typically consist of three to 15 people. Because participants share similar concerns, they are able to support each other and empathize in a unique way. Their shared experience also unites them, allowing them to develop relationships with like-minded people, feel safe to openly share their triumphs and challenges, seek advice and reassurance, and perhaps most importantly, establish a support network so they don’t feel alone in their journey.

There are several different types of process groups, such as:

• adjusting-to-college process groups
• domestic violence process groups
• eating disorder process groups
• grief process groups
• infertility process groups
• substance use disorder process groups
• women’s issues process groups

Facilitators may ask questions to start off the group session and/or follow-up questions after participants share. An example of a follow-up question posed to the group is “How does this make you feel?” or “Can anyone else relate to this experience?” The facilitator does not ask questions to gather information but to encourage sharing. Participants can share as often or as little as they feel comfortable, and divulge as much or as little information as they wish.

Process groups may also be guided by topics, with common topics including:

• communication skills
• coping mechanisms
• self-care
• short- and long-term goals
• support networks

Benefits Of Process Groups In Addiction Treatment

Process groups, or process group therapy, can be facilitated in an inpatient setting at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, or in an outpatient clinic. In process groups for addiction treatment, participants discuss their experience with drug and alcohol addiction and treatment. This offers many benefits to participants. The extent of these benefits, however, may be due, in part, to the amount of effort that the participant puts into the experience.

Some of the benefits of process groups include:

• additional social support
• decreased social anxiety and hypersensitivity
• greater sense of self-esteem
• healthier thought and behavioral patterns
• increased self-awareness
• improved mental clarity
• reduced stigma
• stronger communication skills

Speaking with other people in a group setting about a shared situation or experience provides another avenue to work through associated challenges. By working through challenges, participants are better able to live in the present without being overcome by fears, worries, and intrusive thoughts. Participants also have the security of knowing their thoughts and feelings will be met with acceptance, not resistance, from the group. When professional advice is required, the facilitating therapist or therapists can offer it.

Let’s take a closer look at two of the main benefits of process groups in addiction therapy.

Process Groups And Connection

It’s common for a person experiencing addiction to become withdrawn. Long-term isolation is associated with negative psychological effects, which can make the initial stress much worse. One of the greatest benefits of process groups in addiction treatment is their role in fostering human connection.

Many people find it difficult to meet like-minded individuals and are overwhelmed at the prospect of setting out to do so. A study published by the Social Interventions Research & Evaluation Network (Siren) revealed how participation in group therapy helped to reduce feelings of loneliness in participants and even lowered their blood pressure.

Process groups provide a setting for people with similar challenges to come together and share their vulnerabilities. Participants find solace in the fact that they have similar difficulties as the other participants, which contributes to feelings of safety. Because no two people are at the exact same stage in their recovery journeys, participants can learn from each other. It’s also possible for participants to feel a sense of hopefulness through communicating with each other, i.e., “If they can do it, so can I.” If a person is struggling, then participants can share personal stories about how they overcame similar circumstances.

Because process groups can consist of people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, careers, socioeconomic status, and education levels, they also communicate that life’s challenges do not discriminate. This notion contributes to the feeling of normalcy, and knowing that working through difficulties is simply part of being human.

In addition to standard process groups provided in treatment, there are also specialized process groups that cater to specific groups of people. These groups are designed to offer an added layer of comfortability to participants to support their participation and associated benefits.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the percentage of substance abuse treatment facilities that offer special programs or groups include:

• adolescents, 24%
• adult men, 47%
• adult women, 49%
• clients with co-occurring disorders, 53%
• criminal justice clients (not including DUI/DWI offenders), 36%
• DUI/DWI offenders, 24%
• LGBTQ+, 23%
• older adults, 23%
• people with HIV/AIDS, 20%
• pregnant or postpartum women, 24%
• veterans, 22%

Process Groups And Healthy Relationships

Another main benefit of process groups is that they bridge the gap between one-on-one and group therapy sessions. People who are in treatment for a substance use disorder will participate in one-on-one therapy, during which they look into the root cause of their addiction and personal experiences, and learn to understand themselves better. In a group setting, they then have the opportunity to put what they’re learning about themselves into practice with other people.

This can help people in recovery from addiction begin building healthier relationships. According to treatment improvement protocol published by SAMHSA, drug and alcohol abuse arises, in some part, from unhealthy attachments to and relationships with other people. The group setting allows participants to start building healthy relationships with one another and experience the satisfaction from doing so, which provides another motivation to stay away from substances.

Process Groups Vs. Support Groups

Some people may believe that process groups and support groups are the same; however, there are some fundamental differences between them.

While process groups typically have one or two facilitators who are licensed professionals, support groups do not. Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), may have group-appointed meeting leaders who read group texts and share announcements, but these people are not usually mental health professionals, nor do they direct the meeting with prompts and questions. These people are simply other members of the support group who chose to take a service position, or to volunteer within the group.

While participants are able to receive input from multiple people in both support and process groups, support group members are encouraged to remain in contact outside of meetings. This contact, otherwise known as “fellowship,” is encouraged for participants to develop a support system. It is also often strongly recommended that participants work with a sponsor or a spiritual advisor to guide them through recovery, while participants in process groups do not have sponsors.

Substance Abuse Treatment At Bedrock Recovery Center

People receiving treatment for drug and alcohol abuse at Bedrock Recovery Center (BRC) participate in a group therapy-based curriculum. Several group sessions are held daily to help clients develop self-confidence, social skills, coping skills, and more, while feeling less alone on the recovery journey.

Topics during these sessions may include self-care, triggers, and icebreakers or other prompts designed to encourage conversation in the early stages of recovery.

If you or a loved one is ready to take the next step in the addiction recovery journey, call Bedrock Recovery Center to speak with our care team—we are here to help.