
Home » Treatment Programs » Addiction Therapy » Group Therapy for Addiction Recovery
Addiction Group Therapy
- By Joe Gilmore
- Reviewed by Jenni Busse
- 08/23/2023

At Gratitude Lodge, we understand that overcoming addiction requires comprehensive and personalized treatment approaches. Addiction group therapy is one of the key components of all programs at our treatment facilities in Long Beach and Newport Beach, CA.
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is an intervention in which a trained therapist leads a group of people through a series of therapy sessions. Substance abuse groups offer a unique and supportive environment where participants can address their substance abuse or mental health challenges while benefiting from the insights and experiences of group members. Group therapy can be delivered in different settings and formats according to the needs and goals of participants.Â
These are the most common types of substance abuse group therapy:

Skill Development Groups
Skills development groups focus on teaching practical skills for relapse prevention, effective communication, coping with triggers, and anger management. These skills are all useful in sober living after addiction treatment.
CBT & Problem-Solving Groups
CBT groups use cognitive and behavioral techniques to help those in recovery identify and change problematic thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Participants learn problem-solving skills and set goals for long-term recovery.
Psychoeducational Groups
Psychoeducational groups provide education and information about addiction, mental health conditions, relapse prevention, and healthy lifestyles.
Interpersonal Process Groups
Interpersonal process groups allow participants to explore interpersonal issues, group dynamics, and problem-solving. The aim is to develop healthier communication strategies, highly beneficial both for those in recovery and their loved ones.
Expressive Therapy Groups
Expressive therapy groups incorporate creative and expressive addiction group therapy activities like music, dance, art, and drama to promote self-expression, self-discovery, and personal growth in recovery from addiction.
Addiction Support Groups
Addiction support groups focus on providing a safe and supportive space for those with addictions to share experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Accountability is one of the main ways in which support groups can supplement addiction treatment.
Group Therapy for Alcohol Abuse
Almost 30 million U.S. adults were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) in 2021, according to NSDUH 2021 (National Survey on Drug Use and Health). Alcohol addiction group therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for those grappling with alcoholism to share their experiences and learn from others who have faced similar challenges. Through sharing experiences, individuals with alcohol use disorder can develop coping strategies, sharpen their relapse prevention skills, and find encouragement and solace in a community of peers who understand their recovery journey.
Group Therapy for Drug Addiction
Drug addiction can be an isolating and overwhelming experience. Group therapy is a vital platform for those with drug addictions to share their struggles, victories, and setbacks as they move from active addiction into ongoing recovery. By taking part in group activities and discussions, individuals with drug addictions can get support from others and learn from their unique perspectives, developing essential skills for maintaining long-term sobriety.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Addiction
Group therapy offers an empathetic and supportive environment where individuals can express themselves without fear of judgment. Participants can find comfort in knowing that they are not alone on their recovery journey and that others understand their experiences.
Through group therapy sessions, individuals gain valuable perspectives and insights from group participants who have undergone similar challenges. Learning from peers with lived experience of addiction recovery can broaden their understanding of addiction and help them discover new strategies for sober living.
Group therapy provides an opportunity to examine how you relate with others. You will also have a chance to practice skills you have acquired in individual therapy in a supportive and controlled environment. These skills can help improve your relationships outside of the group.
Accountability is one of the main advantages of engaging with group therapy for addiction. Sharing progress, setback, and goals with others fosters a sense of responsibility and can help those with addictions stay committed to their recovery journey.
 Drug addiction is frequently associated with social isolation and strained relationships. Group therapy helps individuals build sober connections with others. Support and a sense of belonging from the group can also help those with addictions to rebuild their social network and develop healthier relationships.
Group therapy brings together people from diverse backgrounds and with unique experiences. This diversity promotes an exchange of ideas, strategies, and perspectives that can inspire personal growth and broaden individuals’ understanding of their own addictions.

Group Therapy Effectiveness Statistics
- Group therapy sessions can be just as effective as individual therapy sessions for those who are committed to discontinuing substance use and engaging with treatment, according to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
- Significant clinical evidence suggests that group therapy is cost-effective and delivers outcomes comparable to individual therapy. Group therapy can improve treatment acceptance and retention, reduce frequency of substance use, increase abstinence rates, and mitigate psychological distress.
- Addiction and mental health disorders often co-occur. Studies show that group therapy can be as effective as individual therapy for treating PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
- An analysis of studies shows that group therapy was more effective for promoting abstinence from substance abuse than other treatments or no treatment.
- There is strong clinical support for treating adolescent substance abuse with group-based CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy).
Â
Get Addiction Group Therapy at Gratitude Lodge
Group therapy is a key component of treatment for addictions and mental health disorders at
Gratitude Lodge in Southern California. At our pet-friendly rehab centers in Newport Beach and Long Beach, CA, you can benefit from the support of peers with lived experience of substance use disorder.Â
We offer a supervised medical detox program for the safest, smoothest route to drug or alcohol withdrawal and sustained recovery. After a week or so of detoxification, it is possible to transition directly into our 30-day inpatient program. This provides the most structured and supportive backdrop for early recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
All Gratitude Lodge treatment programs draw from these interventions:Â
- Group therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
- Holistic therapies
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
- Aftercare planning and supportÂ
Call 888-861-1658 today for immediate assistance and access to group therapy for addiction.

Addiction Group Therapy FAQs
CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and MI motivational interviewing) are frequently used for addiction.
A therapeutic group in substance abuse treatment is a structured setting where individuals with similar substance abuse issues meet to receive support, share experiences, and learn coping techniques under the guidance of a credentialed therapist.
Group therapy is important in recovery because it offers peer support, provides a sense of belonging, promotes empathy, encourages effective communication, reduces isolation, and allows those with addictions to learn from peers who have faced similar challenges.
Advantages of group therapy for addiction include receiving peer support, learning new coping skills, gaining different perspectives, and developing a sense of community. Disadvantages may include issues with group dynamics, difficulty in addressing specific personal issues, and lack of individualized attention.
While group therapy focuses on addressing behavioral, emotional, or psychological issues under the guidance of a trained therapist, therapeutic groups are typically broader in scope, encompassing a variety of topics and goals. In effect, group therapy is a more specialized form of therapeutic group with a specific therapeutic purpose.
Our Partners
WE ACCEPT MOST PPO INSURANCE
Drug and alcohol rehab should be accessible to everyone. At Gratitude Lodge,
we work with most insurance plans to cover the costs of treatment.