Group Therapy for Substance Misuse & Addiction

Behavioral therapies such as group therapy are often a core element in addiction treatment.¹ Across treatment settings, healthcare providers use therapy to help you understand addiction and build coping skills that support recovery.¹

The 2019 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services found that 93% of treatment settings provide group counseling.²  Group therapy gives you an efficient way to develop relapse-prevention skills while connecting with other people who are also fighting addiction.² This article will discuss group therapy for recovery, 5 common types, the benefits, and the effectiveness of group therapy.

Group Therapy for Addiction Treatment

Group therapy for addiction treatment is a type of social therapy that involves several patients being treated at the same time. Generally, groups are centered around a particular topic or issue, such as addiction.

In group therapy, participants learn and practice recovery strategies, build interpersonal skills, and establish peer support networks.² Treatment sessions typically include 6 to 12 patients and 1 to 2 therapists who meet regularly.²

Types of Group Therapy for Addiction

Different types of group therapy are offered across various levels of care, such as in inpatient rehab and outpatient programs. Each type focuses on different topics and skills specific to the group’s objectives and member needs.

For example, a psychoeducational group might focus on teaching clients about how addiction forms, while support groups create an atmosphere where people struggling with addiction can learn from each other’s experiences.

Here are some common types of group therapy:³

• Psychoeducational groups. Individuals learn about addiction and its consequences from a behavioral, medical, and psychological standpoint in psychoeducational groups.
• Skills development groups. In skills development groups, people learn how to cope with triggers and behaviors that contribute to substance use. These groups focus on building relapse prevention skills for long-term recovery.
• Cognitive-behavioral groups. Cognitive-behavioral group sessions focus on helping people recognize and change the behaviors contributing to their addiction.
• Support groups. In support groups, members learn from each other by sharing stories about their ongoing recovery journey.
• Interpersonal process group psychotherapy. In interpersonal process group psychotherapy, patients explore the developmental issues that can interfere with recovery and contribute to addiction

Group Therapy Techniques

Group leaders use various techniques in each type of addiction group therapy. Facilitators often base their approach to each group on factors such as group members, treatment duration, and session length.³

Techniques for group therapy often depend on the type of group and can include:³

• Psychoeducational groups. Facilitators use lessons, videos, and audio content to teach members more about addiction and its impact. The group leader then facilitates discussions on the content covered in each session. Along with learning about addiction, psychoeducation motivates members to embrace recovery.
• Skills development groups. Many skills development groups focus on the mental and emotional aspects of addiction. Members practice the skills they learn together and learn how different people use the same skills. Specific techniques differ with each group’s objective. Although the focus is skills development, leaders may incorporate psychoeducational elements.
• Cognitive-behavioral groups. In cognitive-behavioral groups, group leaders use different approaches to help members change the perceptions, patterns, and beliefs contributing to their addiction. In most groups, group members learn about self-destructive behavior and thinking that can contribute to substance use. Group facilitators also focus on problem-solving, goal setting, and helping members recognize the feelings and behaviors associated with substance use.
• Support groups. The techniques used in support groups can vary significantly. Some may be more group-focused, with the leader facilitating the conversation based on group goals and member needs. Others might be leader-directed, focusing on early recovery strategies and achieving abstinence. Group leaders help patients work through challenges while maintaining boundaries and ensuring everyone is heard.
• Interpersonal process group psychotherapy. Techniques for interpersonal process group psychotherapy also vary depending on the type of group and the development stage. Leaders focus on the present, adjusting their activeness to fit the group’s needs.

Further, different group dynamics depending on the type of therapy and the purpose of each session. Three group therapy models include:³

• Individually focused groups. In individually focused groups, facilitators typically work with one member at a time. Each member participates in various therapies to address their own cognitive and emotional processes. Other group members observe and learn from the individual and help each other through challenges.
• Interpersonally focused groups. Interpersonally focused groups encourage interaction between members to explore their behaviors and how they affect each other. The group leader is a role model as clients evaluate each other’s behavior.
• Group-as-a-whole focused groups. With group-as-a-whole focused groups, the group leader focuses on the group as a single unit. This dynamic is generally encouraged when the group shares the same mood, behavior, or viewpoint.

Benefits of Group Therapy for Addiction

There are several advantages to group therapy. One over-arching benefit is feeling understood as you grow stronger in sobriety. Here are some of the many benefits of group sessions:³

• Receiving peer support. With a space for support from others struggling with addiction, people often feel motivated to remain abstinent from drugs or alcohol and connect with their peers. Furthermore, the experience of more senior members of the group can provide invaluable insight and coping tools for other members.
• Reducing isolation. Many people struggling with addiction can feel isolated. Participating in group sessions offers a common ground to relate to others fighting the same battle. Formal, intentional groups like process group therapy can increase feelings of security and openness. Still, each type can serve this purpose in different ways.
• Witnessing recovery success. This inspiration helps people see that they can also achieve sobriety. Interpersonal process group psychotherapy helps members see the growth and changes in their peers over time, further solidifying that abstinence is possible.
• Learning coping skills. Seeing how others deal with the challenges of sobriety helps you learn to recognize and cope with the behaviors that lead to substance use. These lessons can carry on to other personal relationships and encourage growth and strength in each member’s daily interactions.
• Receiving useful information. For people new to recovery, group therapy can strengthen insights into avoiding triggers, the importance of abstinence, and how to self-identify as a person with a substance use disorder (SUD).
• Experiencing a family-like atmosphere. Groups encourage a familial environment, providing support and encouragement that some may lack at home. Participation can also help you practice healthy ways to interact with your own family.
• Getting support and encouragement. Coaching, support, and encouragement from therapy in group settings validate members during the many obstacles and challenges they may face throughout recovery.
• Adding structure. Group therapy adds discipline for people with SUD, creating boundaries and consequences. Having structure helps you recognize and complete your responsibilities in treatment.

Effectiveness of Group Therapy for Addiction Treatment

Attending group therapy can be effective in an individualized addiction recovery plan.² A 2021 study found people with drug addiction who participated in group therapy showed more improvement in measures of outcome, like abstinence and drug use rates, compared to standard care.⁴

People also see additional benefits after treatment from the social skills they build. Developing coping skills and creating healthy interpersonal relationships can aid in long-term recovery.¹ Growing and applying the skills you learn in these sessions helps you navigate life after treatment with a solid toolkit. Many also continue participating in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) after treatment to receive ongoing support and connect with others in recovery.

Group Therapy in Southern California

Embarking on your recovery journey is a brave step. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, several opportunities for care and encouragement are available. Laguna Treatment Hospital in Southern California provides a luxurious treatment setting with top-quality evidence-based care.

Our Orange County rehab offers multiple levels of care for addiction treatment, including medical detox, residential treatment, and aftercare planning. Contact our admissions navigators at to learn more about the admission process, insurance coverage for rehab, other ways to pay for treatment, and to start addiction treatment.