Group Therapy for Addiction & Substance Abuse

Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Your treatment plan can include different types of addiction therapies based on what you need most during your recovery. That being said, many addiction treatment plans contain some form of group therapy. Group therapy can ease feelings of isolation and help you feel more connected to the recovery community.1

Learn more about the importance of group therapy in substance use disorder treatment, including what you can expect during group therapy sessions, the different types of group therapy that you might encounter during treatment, and how you can get started with addiction therapy at our drug and alcohol rehab in Kansas City.

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy in which a small group of individuals meet under the guidance of a licensed therapist to support one another in achieving personal growth, healing, and recovery. Group therapy provides a safe, supportive environment to talk with others who are working through similar challenges, develop insight, and practice new ways of thinking and relating.1.2 

Before the group begins, the therapist will typically take time to learn about each person and make sure everyone is a good fit for the group. The experiences shared will not be identical, but you’ll likely recognize parts of your own experience in what others share.2

Group Therapy for Addiction

Group therapy can be a powerful tool to support your recovery process. Research shows that people in recovery who participate in group therapy and addiction treatment exhibit more improvement than those who do not participate in group therapy.3

Many people in recovery describe group therapy as rewarding. It can ease loneliness and give you a front-row seat to watching others grow in their recovery. Group therapy also offers community: you get to talk with and learn from people who truly understand what you are going through.1 People who participate in group therapy tend to be more committed to abstinence, making it a valuable component of many addiction recovery plans.3

What to Expect During Group Therapy

If you are feeling nervous about your first group session, you are definitely not alone. There are several different types of group therapy during rehab, and your experience will depend on the type of group therapy utilized in your treatment plan. A therapist leads the session and keeps things on track, but group members usually do most of the talking.2

In your first session, the therapist will likely introduce you to the group and explain the basic guidelines everyone is asked to follow. Your session may begin with introductions and icebreakers. As the session progresses, your therapist may encourage group members to share feelings, reflect on one another’s experiences, explore challenges, and develop new coping strategies. You may be invited to participate in activities like role-playing, goal-setting, and more.4

The exact itinerary of your group therapy and substance use treatment sessions will depend on several factors, including the type of group therapy you attend and your group therapist’s standard session procedures.

Types of Group Therapy

Many different types of group therapy can be effective for people living with substance use disorder.1 Some of the most common types of group therapy and alcohol use treatment/drug use treatment techniques during rehab include:

• Psychoeducational groups: This type of group therapy will teach you more about substance abuse, allowing you to understand the inner workings of addiction.1
• Skills development groups: To achieve and maintain sobriety, you’ll need to learn new techniques for managing stress and navigating relationships. Dialectical behavior therapy within a skills development group can help.1,5
• Support groups: During a support group, you and other group members will share your experiences related to substance use disorder. You’ll work together to cut through excuses and support healthy lifestyle changes.1
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy groups: Also known as CBT groups, these group therapy sessions will help you rearrange thought patterns with the intent of leading to long-standing behavioral changes that will support your sobriety.1
• Interpersonal process groups: This type of group therapy allows you to recreate past experiences, allowing you to reprocess issues with the support of fellow group members. You’ll have the opportunity to rethink and reprocess life issues that you previously coped with by using substances.1

Group Therapy and Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-occurring disorders are mental health conditions that occur in tandem with addiction, and may include anxiety and mood disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others. People who have an untreated or undiagnosed mental health disorders are more likely to develop addiction, therefore treating both is essential for long term recovery and stability.6 A mix of group and individual therapy can help you build the skills you need to manage your mental health while you continue your recovery.3 

Benefits of Group Therapy for Addiction

Group therapy works hand in hand with substance abuse treatment to support people who are ready to get sober. There are many benefits of group therapy for addiction, including:¹

• Positive peer support
• Positive peer pressure
• Reduced sense of isolation
• Ability to witness the recovery of others
• Education on positive coping skills
• Challenges to negative thought patterns
• A family-like experience
• Support through anxiety and life difficulties
• Opportunity to practice social skills
• Structure and discipline of regular meeting times
• Ongoing encouragement

​​Group Therapy vs Individual or Family Therapy

Group, individual, and family therapy can all play an important role in your addiction treatment plan. Group therapy involves a trained leader supporting a group of individuals.1 Family therapy can have a similar dynamic, while also helping to establish healthy communication patterns that family members can take with them into the real world.7 Individual therapy is especially important if you have co-occurring disorders and gives you space to work through personal issues from your past and present that affect your recovery in a confidential environment.3

Each type of therapy has its own benefits and some may work better than others depending on the individual and their unique circumstances. For example, in some people, group therapy can be as helpful as, or sometimes more successful than, individual therapy.1 

How to Get the Most Out of Group Therapy

To get the most out of group therapy, participation and honesty is key. During your group therapy sessions, your therapist will encourage you and other group members to share as freely and honestly as possible.2 In order to reap the benefits of group addiction therapy sessions, you have to participate and stay involved. You’ll be able to both work on your own healing and contribute to the healing of others. It’s normal to feel uneasy or embarrassed when you begin group therapy, but rest assured, it usually doesn’t take long to develop a sense of belonging with your group.2 

Before joining a specific addiction psychotherapy group, it’s a good idea to ask the therapist a few questions to make sure they’re qualified to lead, including:2

• What is your educational background and experience?
• Do you think this group would work well for me?
• What are your credentials?
• Do you have specialized training in running substance use disorder therapy groups?

Will Insurance Cover Group Therapy?

Yes, the Affordable Care Act requires that health insurance companies offer coverage for mental health services, including addiction treatment.8 Some or all of the cost of group therapy may be covered, depending on your specific health insurance plan.

If you have questions about what exactly is covered by your plan, you can reach out to your insurance provider by calling the number on the back of your insurance card or you can verify your benefits with Empowered Recovery Kansas City. 

Group Therapy for Addiction in Kansas City

At Empowered Recovery Kansas City, our team is here to help you begin the recovery process. Our licensed therapists offer both group and individual therapy, allowing you to receive the one-on-one support and community connection that work together to support your recovery.

We offer a wide range of rehab programs, including partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient treatment programs, aftercare planning, and more. Our admissions team is here to help you choose the right treatment program for your needs, understand our payment options for addiction treatment (including how you can use insurance for rehab), and more. Reach out to us today to get started with addiction treatment in Kansas City.

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 41). Retrieved November 3, 2025 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64223/
2. American Group Therapy Association. (n.d.). What is Group Psychotherapy? Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://agpa.org/resource-overview/what-is-group-psychotherapy/
3. López, G., Orchowski, L.M., Reddy, M.K., et al. (2021). A review of research-supported group treatments for drug use disorders. (Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 16, 51). Retrieved November 3, 2025, from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-021-00371-0
4. Malhotra A, Mars JA, Baker J. (Jan 2025). Group Therapy. (StatPearls). Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549812/
5. Blackford JU, Love R. (Oct 2011). Dialectical behavior therapy group skills training in a community mental health setting: a pilot study. (International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. 61(4): 645-657). Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3191933/
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (29 Mar 2024). Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions. Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders
7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2013). Family Therapy Can Help. Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma13-4784.pdf
8. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). What Does the Affordable Care Act Mean for Behavioral Health? Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/samhsa_infographic2_final_banner_rev_r111314b.pdf