The iconic American author John Steinbeck famously said, “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.” This is the “process” of living life – understanding that it is all about the journey, never the destination. Now, this is also true of addiction recovery and why process groups can be so effective.
A Focus on Addiction Recovery
Not everyone’s addiction recovery is going to look the same. There are some people who will achieve long-term sobriety on their first try. Then, there are others who will experience a relapse (or multiple relapses) before effective recovery truly takes hold. This is quite common.
Relapse is actually more common than many people may think. According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two-thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment. For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.”
Ultimately, everyone’s “journey” is going to be different, and that is okay. The key is to start by asking for help. Also, accepting the help that is offered. Some of this help may take the form of process groups.
What Are Process Groups?
Process groups are group sessions that allow an individual space to feel safe to share and discuss their thoughts and feelings. An addiction recovery process group is going to focus on the journey from active addiction to recovery. The members of the process group also have shared experiences with addiction. This may even include the therapist and/or psychiatrist overseeing the process, many of whom are in recovery as well.
Process groups often have members who are in relatively the same place in their recovery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “The client’s stage of change will dictate which group models and methods are appropriate at a particular time. If the group is composed of members in the action stage who have clearly identified themselves as substance dependent, the group will be conducted far differently from one composed of people who are in the precontemplative stage…. For example, a group of people with substance use disorders on their second day of abstinence is very different from a group with 1 or 2 years of sobriety.”
The Benefits of Process Groups
Process groups offer many benefits for recovery. The following are just a few of those benefits:
- The ability to speak out and speak up in a safe space
- Connecting with others with shared experiences offers motivation and hope
- Reduced cravings
- Lowered stress and anxiety
- Reduced feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, and helplessness
- The acquisition of critical life skills
- An opportunity to connect with a sense of spirituality (dependent upon the group)
- Reduced suicidal ideations
- Relapse reduction
As one can see, these benefits are well worth the try. Some people find that process groups are not effective in their recovery, and that is okay. That is why process groups should also be utilized alongside other modalities. If a process group isn’t working, perhaps something like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) will. It has also been shown that process groups can increase the efficacy of other modalities. 12-Step recovery can also be aided by process groups.
Process Groups and 12-Step Recovery
Many people may consider 12-Step recovery meetings a form of a process group. This is because these meetings create a space where people can be open and honest about their addiction and recovery struggles. 12-Step recovery is also ideal in helping people avoid a potential relapse. This is because working with others can be essential for long-term success (just like in a process group).
Working with others is so important that there is even a chapter named after it in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as the Big Book). The chapter states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail…. You can help when no one else can.” Yes, process groups can be lifesaving!
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This includes our plans with process groups.
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? If the answer is yes, then we can help. The time to recover is now. You can do it!
There are many effective communal modalities in recovery. Process groups are one of them. Process groups can be highly effective for coming to terms with long-term recovery. Process groups also work well with other modalities to help one heal and recover in the long term. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the benefits of process groups and other modalities, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
