Individual Therapy and Group Therapy

What Is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy is when you meet one-on-one in a private setting with an addiction counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist. These private settings allow you to speak freely, openly, and honestly about your addiction and about any personal experiences that may relate to addiction.

During individual therapy, your therapist will help you uncover and identify the reasons you started abusing drugs and alcohol in the first place. This can give both you and your therapist insight into the ways you can change and improve your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions to achieve abstinence and a healthier lifestyle. For example, if you started abusing painkillers to cope with stress, your therapist will work with you on finding new, healthier ways to manage stress so you don’t need these drugs for stress relief.

Individual therapy is customized for you or your loved one based on factors such as age, the lifespan of the addiction, and the diagnosis of other mental health disorders, like depression or PTSD. Types of individual therapy used at drug and alcohol rehab include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy.

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is when two or more patients are treated together in a supportive, therapeutic environment. Group therapy allows you to bond with peers who are facing similar struggles in their recovery from substance abuse. Each person recovers from addiction at their own pace and in their own unique way. Group therapy allows you to learn a variety of different coping strategies and communication skills from everyone in the group.

The discussions in every group therapy session will usually be driven by a new topic every week. Sessions last about one hour and allow enough time for everyone in the group to share and talk about addiction. Relapse prevention strategies, codependency, and tips for coping with cravings and withdrawal symptoms are just some topics you may discuss in group therapy.

Group therapy is extremely versatile and can take place in the form of support group meetings, cognitive-behavioral therapy, educational sessions, and skills groups. Family therapy is another form of group therapy, and may include your spouse or partner, children, parents, and other close relatives.

Individual and Group Therapy at ARC

The most effective addiction treatment programs combine individual therapy with group therapy. Both therapies are typically offered as part of inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs.

Many patients go through drug and alcohol detox before beginning therapy, so they can feel better physically and achieve greater mental clarity. If drug detox is replaced with medication-assisted treatment, you may start therapy even sooner since your cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be more easily managed.