In our last entry, we considered a key way in which group therapy can be beneficial to a person in recovery from a substance use disorder. Our focus was on the idea that a group therapy community has shared wisdom and shared experiences that can help each individual in the group stay motivated and on track in recovery.
After all, those who have experienced life with a substance use disorder, gone through treatment, and are now taking things one day at a time as they work to keep their recovery intact are uniquely positioned to help others who have had the same experiences. This support system—where you can get help when you need it and provide help for others—is a powerful thing.
But it is not the only benefit of group therapy. In this entry, we want to take a look at the ways in which group therapy provides an opportunity for honing communication skills. Those skills are helpful to most anyone, but they can be especially helpful to a person recovering for reasons we will discuss below.
With all of that said, we are ready to communicate some benefits group therapy can provide when it comes to improved communication.
Working Toward Honest and Clear Communication
The ability to express your thoughts, emotions, and challenges clearly and honestly can make it easier for others to offer meaningful help when you need it—and for you to offer that kind of help in return. And practicing that skill is often at the heart of group therapy sessions.
This can be especially daunting for some people—especially those who find public speaking to be the worst activity in the whole world (other than continuing to use drugs or alcohol, of course). But because group therapy is, by its very nature, a supportive environment, you can start small and work your way toward more sharing.
At the same time, listening to others talk in a group therapy session can serve as a model for you. Active listening skills are key to good communication, so the act of paying careful attention to what others are saying is, in fact, helping you become a better and more empathetic communicator.
Another communication benefit of group therapy is that each session provides a constructive environment for giving and receiving feedback. Learning to give feedback to others with kindness rather than with snark or meanness is important. So, too, is learning to accept feedback without becoming defensive. The give and take of constructive feedback can help everyone move forward in a positive way.
Good Communication Skills Go With You
Practicing good communication skills in group therapy is a great way to lay the groundwork for good communication in other areas of your life. You will have developed an ability to communicate with clarity, kindness, and confidence—and you can use that skill in your interactions with your friends, your family members, and your colleagues. If and when conflict arises between you and another person, you will have the ability to navigate that conflict with grace and assertiveness rather than aggressiveness. All of these things can serve you well as your recovery journey unfurls.
Good Communication Skills Support Your Sense of Well-Being
An inability to communicate clearly and honestly can lead to an ongoing sense of frustration. You might find yourself getting upset or defensive, which will hamper your ability to find common ground with others and move forward in ways that benefit all parties. And if you have not developed active listening skills, you are more likely to misunderstand other people and what drives them, which can lead to more conflict. All of those misunderstandings and the frustration—or even anger—that can accompany them can chip away at your sense of well-being, which in turn can chip away at the foundations of your recovery efforts.
Being intentional about improving your ability to communicate with others—both as a speaker and a listener—is a wonderful opportunity that group therapy sessions can provide. Taking advantage of that opportunity can improve your relationships and strengthen your recovery.
We Want to Clearly Communicate That We Are Here to Help
Located near Wichita, Kansas, Bel Aire Recovery Center provides personalized, evidence-based treatment plans for individuals struggling with a substance use disorder. We are also equipped to address mental health disorders that may be entangled with a problem with drugs or alcohol. Our approach includes medically supervised detoxification followed by a rehabilitation program designed to give you resources, strategies, and support as you prepare to get your recovery journey underway. Rehabilitation includes both individual therapy and group therapy sessions.
When your time in treatment comes to an end, you can still count on Bel Aire Recovery Center to provide ongoing support through our alumni program, which keeps you connected to others who have had—and are having—experiences similar to your own.
Overcoming a substance use disorder and reclaiming your life is never easy, but Bel Aire Recovery Center makes it possible. We are dedicated to your well-being and ready to get to work whenever you are.
