There is an old paradoxical saying that goes, “You never know what you never know.” This is an important message in recovery because many times we think we have all of the answers and that blocks us off from the solution that we are looking for. Once we open ourselves up to new ideas and new information, we open ourselves up for the next steps toward long-term recovery. Psychoeducational groups are an essential way that we can educate both ourselves and others on what the next steps to healthy well-being and recovery will be.
Better Understanding Psychoeducational Groups
The term “psychoeducational” can quite understandably feel a bit intimidating, but it need not be. It is simply a breakdown of two terms – “psychotherapy” and “education.” Thus, it is a form of psychotherapy that aims to educate us and our close friends and family about our specific issues (such as addiction and/or mental illness).
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Psychoeducational groups are designed to educate clients about substance abuse, and related behaviors and consequences […]. Psychoeducational groups provide information designed to have a direct application to clients’ lives – to instill self-awareness, suggest options for growth and change, identify community resources that can assist clients in recovery, develop an understanding of the process of recovery, and prompt people using substances to take action on their own behalf, such as entering a treatment program.” Essentially, psychoeducational groups are psychotherapy sessions that aim to inform while also focusing on introspection.
The Benefits of Psychoeducational Groups
Many of the benefits of psychotherapy and group psychotherapy occur in psychoeducational groups. However, there are also many unique benefits that come directly from the psychoeducational process. The following are just a few of those benefits:
- Helps provide necessary support to both the individual and the family
- Lowers the potential for relapse
- Exposes the participants to new ideas (such as alcohol and substances are never the solution)
- Helps with problem-solving
- Aids in goal setting and forward momentum
- Offers an opportunity to get to underlying issues
- Arouses interest in one’s own issues
- Creates accountability
- Helps to adjust negative actions and behaviors
Who Are Psychoeducational Groups For?
Psychoeducational groups can be for anyone struggling with issues of addiction and/or mental illness. For example, they can be beneficial for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), substance use disorder (SUD), anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, and behavioral addictions like gambling or online addictions.
Essentially, psychoeducational groups can help anyone recover, who also wants to learn why they are struggling with their particular issue in the first place. For example, for someone struggling with AUD, a psychoeducational group is going to teach them that the alcohol is not the primary problem, but rather it is a “symptom” of the problem. Once this is understood, an individual can begin to look at the reasons why they drink rather than thinking about the drink itself.
Psychoeducational groups can also be particularly helpful for individuals and their families who struggle with trauma. It is important to remember that trauma affects more people than we may be aware of. According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Medicine, “General population studies have shown that a large proportion of people in developed countries have been exposed to at least one TE [traumatic event] in their lifetime (estimates from 28 to 90%), with the most common events being the unexpected death of a loved one, motor vehicle accidents and being mugged.”
Integrating Psychoeducational Groups Into a Comprehensive Recovery Plan
Psychoeducational groups can also be highly effective because they integrate very well into broader recovery plans. Because they are so informative, they open us up to the willingness to try new treatment modalities.
These modalities include therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), experiential therapies like outdoor therapy and neurofeedback sessions, and holistic healing practices like yoga and meditation. They also offer an opportunity to bring faith-based practices into our recovery, and spirituality has been shown to be an essential and effective cornerstone to any healthy recovery plan.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at New Creation Recovery
Here at New Creation Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why we offer individualized plans (that include modalities like psychoeducational groups) that focus on the exact needs of each client.
There is a statement that is often used in recovery meetings around the world known as the “Responsibility Statement.” It goes, “I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of [recovery] always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.” At New Creation Recovery, we also believe in that responsibility, which is why we choose to do what we do – to help our clients achieve the life they not only desire but the lives they deserve.
In psychoeducational groups, clients learn more about addiction, its causes, and its impact. These groups can be beneficial in getting to the root/core causes of one’s issues because it is important to remember that the addiction is often a symptom of the problem rather than the problem itself. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information on how psychoeducational groups help clients discover more about their challenges with addiction, please reach out to New Creation Recovery today at (877) 868-5730.