It’s no secret that many men have difficulty sharing their feelings and openly discussing their failures and shortcomings. If most men with a substance use disorder (SUD) don’t even recognize that they have a problem, they probably won’t feel comfortable talking about it with a collection of strangers, either. In this respect, group therapy presents a particularly challenging aspect of substance abuse treatment, at least initially.
Those who progress past the first few awkward group therapy sessions, however, will tell you that participating in this particular forum yields tremendous benefits in terms of healing and recovery. Men with SUD can tap into invaluable recovery resources by participating in same-gender group therapy, including the following:
1. Peer Support
Addiction is highly isolating, mainly because of the guilt and shame attached to the disease. But here’s the irony – drugs and alcohol change the chemistry of your brain so drastically that trying to stop substance abuse without professional and social support will leave you stuck and feeling more hopeless than ever. The only way to start quieting those debilitating internal voices and feel more validated in our efforts to quit is to connect with others who are also working to overcome addiction.
2. Emotional Support
Bolstering faith represents another vital aspect of lending emotional support. For many, faith is a thread running through every part of life, not just something you do on the Sabbath. Increasing faith in Christ and His gospel is essential to building the desire and commitment to stay sober. He gives hope to all, and that hope is a powerful emotional healer.
3. Accountability
It’s easy to lose sight of your therapy goals if you don’t have anyone holding you accountable. However, knowing that you’ll need to report your progress to the group the next day gives you a solid motivation to resist. Group participation helps you continue your progress and reach essential goals by sharing them with others. Everyone does better when there are people around who are anxious for them to succeed.
4. Constructive Feedback
The group therapy dynamic provides men with a safe space to receive constructive peer feedback. This feedback could include challenging harmful behaviors and suggesting ways to improve self-awareness.
5. Improved Communication Skills
It’s not enough to be heard – as human beings, we also want to be understood. Learning to communicate with others in a way that meets this basic need on both sides of the conversation is a skill that takes practice. Group therapy offers an excellent setting to work on expressing yourself more effectively and listening to others with increased empathy and understanding.
Improving your communication skills in the group will also help you connect better at home. Substance abuse creates so many instances of misunderstanding, pain, and neglect among family members. Better communication is a critical way to rebuild damaged connections with loved ones.
There is no silver bullet when it comes to addiction recovery. One thing, however, is clear: we need each other to get and stay sober. Recovery is a team effort.
source: https://renaissanceranch.net/5-reasons-why-men-with-substance-abuse-need-group-therapy/
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