Support Group Therapy: An Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Experience

Introduction to Group Therapy Types

Group support therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves at least one therapist working with multiple persons. This type of therapy is used in various settings, including hospitals, private therapeutic practices, community centers, and mental health clinics. It can be utilized alone or integrated into a broader treatment plan that also includes individual therapy. There are five major types of group therapy: interpersonal groups, cognitive-behavioral groups, skills development groups, psycho-educational groups, and support groups (Fenton, 1974). The right choice of group therapy depends on the clinical techniques used during therapy and the specific mental health problem being addressed.

Cognitive-behavioral groups focus on identifying and altering distorted emotional responses, thinking patterns, and behaviors. Interpersonal groups emphasize social interactions and interpersonal relationships, including the amount of support an individual receives from others and the effect of such relationships on mental health. Skills development groups focus on enhancing social skills among persons living with developmental disabilities or mental disorders. Psycho-educational groups teach clients about their disorders and how to cope with them based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles (Fenton, 1974).

Support groups, on the other hand, offer various benefits to persons with a wide range of mental health issues, including their family members or loved ones. A group typically has between three and twelve participants. Meetings take place at least once a week for one to two hours, through either open sessions (in which new participants are allowed to join) or closed sessions (in which new participants are not admitted) (Delworth, 1969).

During a typical therapy session, group members meet in a room with chairs arranged in a circle, allowing each participant to see every other group member. A session may begin with introductions, with each participant sharing why they joined the support group. Participants also share experiences and progress during ongoing meetings. The therapist in charge of the group is responsible for establishing group goals and selecting an appropriate therapy style. Some therapy groups adopt a free-form dialogue approach, encouraging participants to speak as they see fit. Others follow particular plans for each session, having participants engage in various structured activities with other group members (Bauman & Shaw, 2016).

Group therapy can help with many mental health conditions, including depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), panic disorder, substance use disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder, among others. Weight management, grief and loss, domestic violence, anger management, divorce, chronic pain, illness, and stress can also be addressed through group therapy (In Jegathesan & Abdullah, 2019). Altruism allows group members to share their strengths and support one another, improving self-confidence and self-esteem. The principle of catharsis allows participants to share experiences and feelings, helping to relieve guilt, pain, or stress. This paper focuses on the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting as a support group for persons struggling with substance abuse or alcohol addiction (Fenton, 1974).

Content and Process of AA Support Groups

The support therapy group functions like a small family for its members. Participants within the same group can explore childhood experiences and how those experiences may have contributed to their behaviors and personality. The group also allows members to avoid unhelpful or destructive behaviors in real life through corrective recapitulation. The group setting supports the practice and development of new behaviors (Glass, 2010). The supportive and safe nature of the therapy setting allows participants to experiment and share freely without fear of failure — a process achieved through the development of socialization techniques. Every group member comes to realize that each person is responsible for their own actions, lives, and choices, which constitute the existential factors of treatment (Delworth, 1969).

The fact that support group members share the same goals creates a sense of acceptance and belonging, boosting group cohesiveness. Sharing information helps group members learn from one another. The AA meeting support group included members at different stages of treatment. Participants in the later stages of their treatment helped instill hope in those just beginning the recovery process (Glass, 2010). Members can also imitate or observe the therapist's behavior or that of other participants. The principle of universality helps every group member understand that what they are going through is also experienced by others. Interacting with fellow participants and receiving feedback fosters greater self-awareness through interpersonal learning from the therapist and other group members (Bauman & Shaw, 2016).

Group support therapy was offered alongside individual therapy and medication. The AA meeting is designed to help people overcome their drinking problems. The support group is self-supporting, non-professional, apolitical, and multiracial. Its broad appeal lies in the fact that it can be implemented in a wide range of settings, from hospitals to prisons. Open membership means that no participant is required to meet specific educational requirements — anyone can join. Millions of people have used the support group model to fight and recover from alcoholism. The treatment is founded on twelve spiritual principles that participants practice as a lifestyle to combat the obsession with drinking, enabling alcoholics to recover fully and lead fulfilling lives (Delworth, 1969).

The twelve non-coercive steps for self-improvement involve participants admitting that they have no control over alcohol and its effects, acknowledging personal failings, and working to correct them. The steps also include making amends for previous misdeeds, pursuing ongoing spiritual development, and supporting other addicts in overcoming their alcoholism (Delworth, 1969). Although the support group incorporates belief in a higher power capable of healing alcoholism, it also accommodates atheist, agnostic, and non-theist participants. Research links increased attendance at AA meetings with greater spirituality and a reduction in the intensity and frequency of alcohol use. The meetings have proven effective at helping individuals — including atheists and agnostics — overcome alcohol addiction. Some participants, however, rely on means beyond spirituality to change their addictive behavior. Every session begins and ends with prayer (Glass, 2010).

References

Bauman, S., & Shaw, L. R. (2016). Group work with persons with disabilities.

Delworth, U. (1969). A comparison of professional counselors and counselor support personnel in group counseling with junior high school students.

Fenton, N. (1974). Group counseling: A preface to its use in correctional and welfare agencies. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishers.

Glass, S. D. (2010). The practical handbook of group counseling. Bloomington, IN: Trafford Publishing.

In Jegathesan, A. J., & In Abdullah, S. S. (2019). Multicultural counseling applications for improved mental healthcare services.

McGoldrick, T. J. (2006). On the road to recovery, thanks to AA meetings. Morrisville, NC: Lulu.com.