The benefits of group therapy for addiction
Addiction can feel like an isolating experience, but recovery doesn't have to be. While individual therapy plays a vital role in many treatment plans, group therapy is a powerful tool that can be as effective, if not more effective, than one-to-one support. This is because it offers something unique: a chance to treat your addiction alongside others who truly understand what you're going through while also witnessing their progress, creating a culture of recovery.
Whether you're just beginning your journey or maintaining long-term sobriety, group therapy for addiction brings people together in a safe, structured setting to share experiences, learn new skills, and support each other.
In this article, we’ll explore how group therapy works, the different types available, and why it can be an effective component of recovery.
Key takeaways
- Group therapy offers peer support, accountability, and shared understanding - all within a structured, professionally guided environment.
- It can be used to treat a wide range of addictions to behavioral addictions such as gambling or internet use.
- Sessions often include open discussion, coping strategies, and skill-building exercises tailored to group needs.
What is group therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small number of individuals meet regularly to talk, listen, and support one another under the guidance of 1 or 2 trained therapists or facilitators. In the context of addiction recovery, group therapy provides a structured environment where people with shared experiences can explore their behaviors, challenges, and progress together.
Unlike individual therapy, where one-on-one sessions focus solely on the personal experiences of a single person, group therapy offers a collective dynamic. Members benefit not only from professional input but also from the insights, empathy, and encouragement of others in the room. This shared experience can help reduce feelings of isolation or shame -common emotions in addiction recovery - and foster a sense of connection and community.
Sessions are typically focused on a particular goal, theme, or type of therapy and participants are encouraged to speak openly, listen respectfully, and support one another.
What addictions can group therapy help?
Group therapy can be an effective treatment option for a wide range of addictions - both substance-related and behavioral. Some of the most common addictions that group therapy can support include:
- Alcohol addiction
- Drug addiction (including illegal substances and recreational drug use)
- Prescription medication misuse
- Gambling addiction
- Sex addiction
- Exercise or dieting addiction
- Pornography addiction
- Food addiction (including binge eating and compulsive overeating)
- Shopping addiction
- Video game addiction
- Internet addiction
What to expect from group therapy
If you’ve never attended a group therapy session before, it’s natural to feel unsure about what it involves. But knowing what to expect can help ease any worries and prepare you to get the most out of the experience.
Group therapy sessions typically involve a small number of participants (often between 6 and 12 people) alongside a trained therapist or facilitator who guides the discussion and ensures a safe, respectful environment for everyone. Each session typically lasts 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with a break in the middle.
Groups may be ‘open’, meaning that new members can join at any time or ‘closed’ where there are a set number of attendees, and this can’t be altered without mutual group agreement.
Often, the group setting will be a room where chairs are arranged in a circle or around one large table so that all participants can see and engage with one another. All group members are expected to follow a few key ground rules like maintaining confidentiality, respecting one another's experiences, and refraining from judgment. This helps create a safe, trusting space where everyone feels free to open up.
The exact contents of a group session, including its stages and activities will largely depend on the goals of the group, the type of therapy, and the therapist's facilitation style. However, a typical session might include:
- A check-in: Participants may start by briefly introducing themselves, sharing how they're feeling, or updating the group on any recent challenges or wins.
- A focus topic or activity: Many sessions center around a specific theme, such as coping with cravings, managing stress, or setting boundaries. The therapist might incorporate icebreakers, pose questions, introduce a skill-building exercise, or encourage expressive writing.
- Open sharing and discussion: Group members are invited (but not pressured) to talk about their experiences. Listening to others can be just as valuable as speaking, and many people find comfort and insight in the stories of fellow participants.
- Wrap-up and reflection: Sessions usually end with a summary, a chance to reflect, or a takeaway to think about or practice before the next session.
While it might feel intimidating at first, most people find that any initial nervousness fades quickly as they settle into the rhythm of the sessions and begin to build connections with others.
Start your mental health journey today.
Our team can help you find the right provider.
Types of group therapy for addiction
Not all group therapy looks the same. Different approaches are used depending on the goals of the group, the stage of recovery, and the needs of its members. There are five group models that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of substance use:
Psychoeducational groups
These groups focus on helping participants understand addiction and recovery. Sessions may cover topics such as the effects of substances on the brain and body, relapse prevention, stages of change, or the role of mental health in addiction. Content is often structured and taught using video and audio content or lectures.
The prime goals of psychoeducational groups are to increase participants’ awareness of addiction and motivate them to enter a ‘recovery ready’ stage.
Skills development groups
Skills development groups teach practical tools to cope with daily life without turning to addictive behaviors. These might include:
- Emotional regulation techniques
- Stress and anger management
- Communication skills
- Healthy decision-making
- Ways to refuse substances
- Avoiding triggers
- Coping with urges
The focus is on developing new habits and responses that support long-term sobriety or refrain from addictive behaviors.
Cognitive behavioral/problem-solving groups
These groups use principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help participants identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors linked to their addiction. Sessions often the use of specific techniques such as:
- Teaching group members about the self-destructive behavior and thinking that leads to maladaptive behavior.
- Focusing on problem-solving and short- and long-term goal setting.
- Help participants monitor feelings and behavior.
Support groups
Support groups offer a more open, discussion-based format where members share their experiences, offer encouragement, and provide emotional support to one another. These groups often foster a strong sense of community and understanding. Many 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), fall into this category, though not all support groups follow a formal framework. Key goals of support groups include:
- Maintaining abstinence
- Managing day-to-day life
- Improving self-esteem and confidence
- Reducing isolation
Interpersonal process groups
These groups delve deeper into emotional and relational dynamics. They explore how addiction impacts relationships and how patterns of interaction - such as trust, communication, or boundary-setting - can support or hinder recovery. These sessions tend to be more exploratory and are based on key concepts:
- Early experience affects later experience.
- Sometimes perceptions distort reality.
- Psychological and cognitive processes outside awareness influence behavior.
- Behaviors are chosen to adapt to situations and protect people from harm.
Addiction group therapy: what are the benefits?
Although at first, group therapy may seem quite intrusive and almost counterproductive to opening up, the structured, supportive environment it constructs can play a pivotal role in recovery. Whether it's group therapy for drug addiction, alcohol addiction, or a behavioral addiction, this treatment option has numerous benefits:
A safe space
Group therapy offers a confidential and non-judgemental environment where individuals can share openly. Knowing that others in the room have faced similar challenges helps reduce feelings of shame or stigma, making it easier to talk honestly about experiences, setbacks, and goals.
Professional guidance
A qualified therapist or facilitator leads the group, offering expertise, structure, and emotional support. They ensure the group stays focused, manage any difficult dynamics that arise, and introduce therapeutic techniques that help participants make meaningful progress.
Accountability
Group therapy can help people stay on track with their recovery goals. Regular sessions provide structure and routine, while the presence of others can encourage individuals to be honest about their negative behaviors and personal progress.
Perspective
Hearing from others with different backgrounds and experiences can be eye-opening. It allows participants to see their own behaviors in a new light, learn from others’ successes and setbacks, and recognize patterns they may not have noticed on their own.
Identifying and tackling triggers
Many addictive behaviors are reinforced by social situations such as peer pressure, relationship dynamics, or isolation. Group therapy provides a space to explore these triggers and practice healthier responses, often through role-play, reflection, or feedback from others.
Motivation and encouragement
Recovery can be challenging, and motivation naturally fluctuates over time. Group therapy offers a steady source of encouragement, hope, and inspiration. Seeing others make progress can reignite personal motivation while offering support to peers can boost self-esteem and help establish a strong sense of purpose.
A like-minded support system
One of the most powerful aspects of group therapy is the sense of community it fosters. Participants often form meaningful bonds, knowing they are not alone in their struggles. This peer support can extend outside of sessions, providing a valuable network of understanding and connection, even in instances of relapse.
If you’re interested in learning more about group therapy, browse our group therapy sessions to find out more.
References
- 1 Groups and Substance Abuse Treatment (2005)
- Group Therapy - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (2025)
- Group Therapy vs Individual Therapy: Uses, Benefits & Effectiveness (January 2025)
- Private Group Therapy | Shared Support for Mental Health & Addiction - Priory
- Addiction: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment (March 2023)
- Group Therapy: Definition, Types, Techniques, and Efficacy (January 2024)
- 2 Types of Groups Commonly Used in Substance Abuse Treatment (2005)
- Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction - PMC (September 2016)
- Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy (October 2019)
- Benefits of Group Therapy (January 2021)