Group Therapy for Addiction in Orange County
Many people rely on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) support groups as they try to recover from addiction. This is because structured, evidence-based therapy delivered in group settings improves outcomes in addiction treatment.
If you would like advice on whether this approach is suitable for your needs, a mental health professional can provide valuable insight and guidance. This page can also help by explaining:
- What group therapy is
- The benefits of group therapy for addiction
- The types of therapeutic groups used in addiction treatment
- What you should expect in group sessions
- Answers to FAQs about group therapy for addiction
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a shared form of counseling where a small circle of people meets under the guidance of a mental health professional. The groups are made of 6–12 people, each of whom has their own story.
There’s evidence that structured group therapy can reduce substance use in adults who struggle with addiction.2 Research also says that people with shared lived experience help one another start and maintain recovery.3
One reason why might be the fact that you get accountability built right into group therapy. The peers in your group know your story. They notice if you miss a meeting and may check up on you. They also celebrate the little wins with you right after you share an obstacle you overcame and support you in difficult times.
Moreover, effective group therapy happens in a confidential space, where people understand that what they share stays within the circle. This can create a valuable sense of safety, stability, and trust.
Finally, group therapy is a great complement to individual therapy. Although you get deep personal exploration in a one-on-one session, group therapy adds a social dimension to your recovery. The two combined have shown great results.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Addiction
While we already touched upon some of the benefits of group therapy, the following paragraphs cover these benefits in more detail:
Peer Connection and Support
In sessions, you sit with people who speak the same private language of relapse, cravings, and regret. This helps your nervous system acknowledge that you’re not a “lost cause” just because you can’t get yourself out of the addiction loop.
Research on substance use disorders calls out isolation and shame as core features of addiction.4Shame feeds on secrecy. But when you hear your own thoughts come out of someone else’s mouth, the self-criticism reduces.
Peer connection also changes your social gravity. You get to rebuild your social connections that protect sobriety.
For all of these reasons, peer-led and peer-delivered recovery leads to better perceived social support and improved quality-of-life indicators.5
Accountability and Motivation
You know you will be heard and asked about your progress by others in recovery. Your behaviors are no longer private, and this pressure motivates you to do better. Motivation is also reinforced by observation. Watching peers make progress provides you with strong evidence that it is very much possible to recover under real-life conditions.
Further, exposure to peer success has been linked to increased hope and persistence among those in recovery.3
There is also the helper-therapy principle, which is widely studied in addiction recovery. It states that people who help others with similar problems experience measurable benefits themselves.6In other words, supporting peers through encouragement strengthens the helper’s own recovery.
Skill Development
Group therapy creates structured opportunities to develop skills you need in everyday recovery. Those in groups get to practice interpersonal skills in real time, as group sessions include structured exercises and discussions that put such skills into effect.
Just taking turns speaking about your progress and listening to others strengthens your social skills. Your therapist will also be adding to the conversations with behavior-specific feedback.
Many emotional responses also naturally arise as the conversation flows. Such instances help you tolerate discomfort under the supervision of the therapist. This repeated exposure to challenging interactions can strengthen your tolerance over time.
You will also be learning therapeutic skills that will help you at home, for example:
- Relaxation tactics
- Problem-solving structures
- Relapse prevention coping strategies
- Meditation
Therapeutic Factors
Group work also gives you room for catharsis. It allows you to express your previously suppressed emotions in a structured, psychologically safe environment.
So all those negative emotions you have been feeling internally, but haven’t had the courage to speak about openly, can be expressed during your sessions. This can lessen the need to turn to substances as a means to manage them.
Your therapist will also use different modes of therapy to help you process these emotions and grow out of them in a healthy way.
Types of Group Therapy We Offer
“Group therapy” is a broad term. There are many different specific modalities of therapy that can be delivered in group settings. We discuss the various modalities in the following sections.
Process Groups
These are therapist-guided discussions of thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and interpersonal experiences related to addiction. All participants get to talk about the challenges they have been facing in their recovery.
The point of these discussions is to simply understand how you relate to yourself. There won’t be any exercises or worksheets that you must complete or any preset lessons to take. The conversation happens around the experiences in your life that push you towards unhealthy substance use, such as:
- Trying to avoid certain responsibilities
- Conflict with your partner
- Work issues
- Difficulty maintaining boundaries
- Shame response
- Financial struggles
Skills-Based Recovery Groups
These are more goal-oriented groups in which an evidence-based mode of therapy with actionable steps is used. The content of skills-based groups follows cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) models.
In CBT-based groups, you learn to identify the negative thought patterns that lead you towards substance abuse.7 These thoughts are challenged with conscious, positive thinking patterns. You also apply some problem-solving strategies to change your flow of thoughts. Not only is the therapy effective in initial recovery, but it also helps with relapse prevention.
DBT-informed groups target emotional dysregulation among participants, as emotional distress is a well-known trigger for substance use. You will learn when your emotions feel out of your control and how you can channel them through healthy coping mechanisms.8
Psychoeducation Groups
These are curriculum-based groups in which you learn that addiction is a chronic brain disorder with disruptions in certain chemicals. These chemicals include:
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Glutamate
Addiction-related brain changes are reversible to varying degrees through sustained abstinence. The ability of the brain to change its structure of reward and impulse control mechanisms is called “neuroplasticity.” Simply put, neuroplasticity allows the brain to get its function back as you learn cognitive control during recovery.
You will also learn about the interactions between addiction and mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
12-Step Facilitation Groups (AA/NA)
The 12-step model is a form of peer support developed for Alcoholics Anonymous and later adapted for other substances, such as Narcotics Anonymous.
It is based on a sequence of twelve steps that allow an individual to achieve total abstinence. Each group participant has to:
- Acknowledge that they are unable to control alcohol or substance use
- Accept that they can recover from it
- Identify a guiding power as a source of strength
- Conduct an honest review of past behaviors that led to addiction
- Take responsibility for past harm
- Develop a new style of life
- Provide support to others with alcohol or substance use disorders
The same framework is used in 12-step facilitation (TSF) groups. They are led by clinicians who introduce the participants to the 12-step model and explain the purpose of these meetings.
A study of over 10,000 participants validates the efficacy of 12-step facilitation programs for substance use disorders.9
SMART Recovery Groups
The SMART model is a science-based alternative to the 12-step programs. SMART stands for “self-management and recovery training.”
It uses evidence-based CBT and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) for four purposes. These are:
-
- Building motivation to change
- Coping with urges
- Managing thoughts and emotions
- Establishing a balanced, healthy lifestyle
SMART recovery groups teach you self-efficacy, as participants are taught that behavior change is achievable through skill development. An increase in self-efficacy is associated with reduced substance use and improved treatment outcomes.
Many practical tools are used in SMART therapy sessions, like cost–benefit analyses, urge logs, cognitive disputation exercises, and so on. These help put a stop to automatic substance-use behaviors that just happen out of the sudden urge.
Life Skills Development Groups
After you learn to control your urges, you have to transition back into everyday life. But this requires the functional skills needed for independent living. Life skills development groups are designed to help you develop these essential skills, which include:
-
- Budgeting, income management, debt awareness, and planning for essential expenses
- Resuming your work responsibilities if you are on a break
- Improving workplace behaviors
- Maintaining healthy relationships with boundaries and learning to solve conflicts
- Building a routine as you manage your time effectively
These are external factors that, if disrupted, can influence you into relapse.
Specialty Groups
You may also become part of specialty groups based on certain aspects of your personal history.
For example, there are LGBTQIA+ affirming groups for non-binary individuals that help encourage a sense of belonging when they feel constantly stigmatized and judged by people around them.
Further, those struggling with anger issues can be introduced to anger management groups. Plus, people who have lost a loved one and are going through grief may need peer support to process their bereavement.
Similarly, those with a history of trauma and abuse receive trauma-informed therapies in group settings with others who’ve had similar experiences.
What to Expect in Group Therapy
Regardless of the type of group you join, the structure of group therapy will pretty much be the same.
You will attend regular sessions, either daily or weekly, with the same group of approximately 6–12 participants. The sessions will be between 60 and 90 minutes long, and are facilitated by a trained mental health professional throughout.
Every single piece of information shared in the group will stay in the group. Your confidentiality will be reinforced throughout treatment to protect the privacy of all group members.
Additionally, no one will be required to disclose personal experiences immediately or share more than they are ready to share. You will recover at your own pace.
It is okay to be nervous in the beginning. Most participants report initial discomfort related to speaking in front of others. As you get familiar with the group, you’ll start to open up by yourself.
Our Group Therapy Program in Orange County
A Better Life Recovery runs group therapy as a core part of addiction treatment. We offer multiple group sessions each day for participants to stay engaged as per their convenience.
Each group includes no more than six to twelve participants, and we maintain an approximate 1:2.5 staff-to-client ratio. A small group size allows room for individualized attention for everyone within a group setting.
All of our groups are facilitated by licensed and credentialed professionals, experienced in addiction treatment. We offer all the different types of therapy groups discussed above that address your needs in a cohesive treatment plan.
We also provide an LGBTQ+ affirming environment where your identity is respected. All sessions take place in comfortable, well-designed meeting spaces in Orange County.
Insurance and Admissions
We accept all Anthem insurance policies for care and all Blue Cross insurance policies for addiction treatment.
We also work with First Health Insurance, Humana Insurance, HMC HealthWorks, Coventry Health Care of Delaware Insurance, ComPsych Insurance, and MHN Health Net Insurance. What’s more, our admissions team offers free, confidential insurance verification.
There are no separate enrollments or add-on requirements for group therapy since it is part of our residential treatment program. Plus, we offer same-day admission if possible to avoid unnecessary delays in your recovery.
A Better Life Recovery serves clients throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and San Juan Capistrano. If you’re ready to start the path to recovery, reach out to us today.
Begin Your Recovery Journey Today
Are you ready to reclaim your life? Taking the first step is often the hardest, but we make it simple. We offer multiple ways for you to begin your journey. You can:
- Schedule a free, confidential consultation
- Contact our Orange County rehab centre online or through our 24/7 helpline
- Arrange a private tour of the facility
- Verify your insurance coverage for free
Let us support you toward long-lasting recovery. Reach out to us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re considering group therapy for addiction in Orange County, it’s natural to have some ongoing queries. This is why we’ve provided the following answers to commonly asked questions we receive.
Do I Have to Share in Group Therapy?
No. We do recommend sharing in group settings, but it’s never forced. Many people start by listening, which helps them settle in and feel comfortable before speaking when they’re ready.
Is Group Therapy Confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a core rule of group therapy. What is shared in the group is expected to stay in the group.
What if I’m Nervous About Group Therapy?
Feeling nervous about group therapy is totally normal. Most people feel that way at first. Our facilitators create a supportive, welcoming space, and it doesn’t take long to realize others also feel the same way.
How Is Group Therapy Different from AA/NA Meetings?
Group therapy is led by licensed clinicians and follows evidence-based treatment models. AA and NA meetings are peer-led support groups. We offer both because clinical groups and 12-step facilitation serve different roles in recovery.
How Many Groups Will I Attend Each Day?
In our residential program, clients attend multiple group sessions each day, like process groups, skills-based groups, and specialty groups, along with scheduled individual therapy sessions.
Is Group Therapy Effective for Addiction?
Yes. There’s evidence that shows group therapy is effective for addiction treatment because of peer support, accountability, and professional facilitation.
References
- Choi, N. G., & Marti, C. N. (2025). Treatment Use Among U.S. Adults with a Substance Use Disorder: Associations with Symptom Severity, Problem Self-Perception, Comorbid Mental Illness, and Mental Health Treatment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(4), 640. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040640
- Lo Coco, G., Melchiori, F., Oieni, V., Infurna, M. R., Strauss, B., Schwartze, D., Rosendahl, J., & Gullo, S. (2019). Group treatment for substance use disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 99(99), 104–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.016
- Scannell, C. (2021). Voices of hope: Substance use peer support in a system of care. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218211050360
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (2025). Groups and Substance Abuse Treatment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64223/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Eddie, D., Hoffman, L., Vilsaint, C., Abry, A., Bergman, B., Hoeppner, B., Weinstein, C., & Kelly, J. F. (2019). Lived Experience in New Models of Care for Substance Use Disorder: A Systematic Review of Peer Recovery Support Services and Recovery Coaching. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(1052). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01052
- Riessman, F. (1965). The “Helper” Therapy Principle. Social Work, 10(2), 27–32. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23708219
- McHugh, R. K., Hearon, B. A., & Otto, M. W. (2010). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 33(3), 511–525.
- Basereh, S., Safarzadeh, S., & Hooman, F. (2022). The Effectiveness of Group Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Structured Matrix Treatment on Quit Addiction Self-efficacy, Distress Tolerance, and Mindfulness in Individuals with Stimulant Drug Abuse. Journal of Health Reports and Technology, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.5812/jhrt-127427
- Kelly, J. F., Humphreys, K., & Ferri, M. (2020). Alcoholics anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012880.pub2
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