Of those eligible, 701 participants initiated the online survey, with 566 participants (80.7%) completing the survey. Within an addiction treatment program, or mental health treatment program, providers may offer one or more types of group therapy. Group therapy is commonly used for the treatment of substance abuse and other mental health disorders such as depression, eating disorders, and trauma. This report for clinicians explains approaches to providing integrated care to older adults living with substance use disorder and mental illness. It highlights the importance of assessing patients for cognitive deficits and adapting behavioral interventions to help improve treatment outcomes.
Health Conditions
The structure of these groups can be open or closed to new members at any given time, depending on the type of group, treatment setting, and facilitator. Group therapy can be facilitated by a healthcare professional, or by peers, as is the case with popular self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. At the beginning of a session, group members will introduce themselves and share their reasons for attending group therapy. They may also discuss their progress and any obstacles or setbacks they have experienced since the last meeting. Group therapy involves one or more psychologists who lead small groups with up to 15 members. The group also encourages its members to reflect on their personal beliefs and behaviors.
This paper reviews methodologically rigorous studies examining group treatments for interview-diagnosed drug use disorders. A total of 50 studies reporting on the efficacy of group drug use disorder treatments for adults met inclusion criteria. Studies examining group treatment for cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, opioid, mixed substance, and substance use disorder with co-occurring psychiatric conditions are discussed. The current review showed that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group therapy and contingency management (CM) groups appear to be more effective at reducing cocaine use than treatment as usual (TAU) groups.
Group-based opiate use treatments for adults
However, in another study, individuals with cocaine dependence receiving 12-step based Group Drug Counseling (GDC; similar to 12-step facilitation) had similar cocaine abstinence outcomes with or without additional individual CBT 41. This may suggest that group 12-step facilitation is an effective intervention for cocaine dependence. Two studies demonstrated the superiority of CM groups for reducing cocaine use as compared to CBT 62 or TAU groups 61, 62 at 12 weeks 54, 17 weeks 53, 26 weeks 53 and 52 weeks follow up 51.
- First, a self-reported survey is limited in its accuracy about what clinicians actually do.
- Meeting other people recovering from or working through similar issues helps people realize that they are not alone, according to The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy.
- This report for clinicians explains approaches to providing integrated care to older adults living with substance use disorder and mental illness.
- Finally, CBT was more effective than DRM in reducing alcohol use, enhancing psychological functioning and improving social and family functioning compared to DRM and TAU among individuals dually diagnosed with SUD and a personality disorder 18.
- Group therapy is an effective treatment for addiction, but it’s not without its potential drawbacks.
SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge
Negative thinking patterns, such as self-defeating beliefs, can lead to substance use. You can contact American Addiction Centers (AAC) for free at for more information on how to find addiction group therapy or counseling near you. You can also check your insurance benefits online now or use the form below to determine whether your insurance provider will cover the cost of drug and alcohol treatment. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and fun substance abuse group activities for adults provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes.
Standard group therapy includes 90 min sessions approximately twice a week in a group setting, 44 whereas intensive group therapy is a heavier dose of standard group therapy that includes 120-min sessions up to five times a week 44. Psychoeducational therapy group focused on providing information on the immediate and delayed problems of substance use disorders to patients 45. Lastly, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of CBT therapy that focuses on helping regulate intense emotional states and provides skills to reduce arousal levels, and increase mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills 46. Grounded within behavioral therapies, are behavioral skills training which focused on developing behaviors that are adaptive 28.
Drug counseling describes treatment that aims to facilitate abstinence, encourage mutual support, and provide coping skills 52. Finally, family therapy is a family-based intervention that aims to maverick house sober living change, parenting behaviors and family interactions 53. Overall, there are many overlapping components and skill sets in the models discussed above (See Table 1).
Nineteen studies were identified that targeted cocaine use and utilized some form of group therapy, the most of any drug in this review (see Table 2). Overall, the studies showed that all of the group therapy modalities included in this review generally reduced cocaine use when compared to treatment as usual (TAU), including day hospital groups 54. Two studies, Magura et al. (1994) and Magura et al. (2002) did not find group differences between 8 months CBT and 8 months of TAU that consisted of methadone maintenance therapy among 141 patients with cocaine disorder 60, 69. When compared directly, individuals in CBT groups achieved longer abstinence than individuals in 12 step facilitation groups 33 or low intensity groups 64, 65.
The guide discusses types of group therapy, confidentiality, client placement, group development, famous people with fetal alcohol syndrome stages of treatment, how-to tips, training, and supervision. One of the most common co-occurring disorders with substance abuse is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies show that people with PTSD have less trust in others.8 Engaging in group therapy can help people build trust in a safe environment.