people participating in a group therapy programMore than 25% of Americans struggle with a mental health disorder or substance abuse disorder each year. Both conditions are considered chronic and incurable. Symptoms can become disabling and impact your judgment, mood, personality, and cognition. Although chronic, substance abuse and mental health disorders are highly manageable with treatment. Florida drug and alcohol detox programs include a variety of options, ranging from inpatient and outpatient programs, that utilize evidence-based and holistic therapies, like a group therapy program.

When mental health and substance abuse disorders are left untreated, they can become progressively worse. Addiction can increase your risk of experiencing an untimely death, as drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Mental health disorders, like depression and mood disorders, increases your risk of committing suicide. The quicker you receive help, the more likely you are to achieve recovery.

Addiction 

Substance abuse disorders and addiction cause you to compulsively abuse drugs and alcohol despite dealing with negative consequences and/or a strong desire to quit. Drugs and alcohol are neurotransmitter inhibitors and cause your brain to release a rush of pleasurable neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. When the effects of your substance of choice wear off, you are depleted of neurotransmitters, which leads to depressed moods, anxiety, and cravings.

During addiction, your brain’s pleasure and reward center associates drugs and alcohol with pleasure and begins to reward substance abuse and punish abstinence by controlling the release of neurotransmitters. Once changes to your pleasure and reward center occur, it becomes more difficult to stop using. Addiction can also:

  • Impair your judgment
  • Cause medical problems
  • Cause mental health issues
  • Worsen comorbid conditions
  • Cause financial problems
  • Destroy personal and familial relationships

Drugs and alcohol can also cause physical withdrawal symptoms that make it hard to remain clean and sober, such as:

  • Malaise
  • Aches, pains, and cramps
  • Seizures and dehydration
  • Insomnia and exhaustion
  • Mood changes
  • Vomiting, diarrhea and bowel problems

Withdrawal symptoms can begin with 24 hours of your last use and last for several days. Following detox, inpatient and outpatient programs offer treatment, such as group therapy for addiction, that can help strengthen your recovery.

What a Group Therapy Program Offers

Inpatient and outpatient treatment programs offer both evidence-based and holistic treatments. Evidence-based treatments, like a group therapy program, can improve your coping skills and ability to handle triggers and stress. Florida drug and alcohol detox programs commonly offer a group therapy program to help you share your thoughts and emotions during treatment, which helps prepare you for recovery.

A group therapy program can use talking based therapies, as well as experiential therapy. A group therapy program that uses experiential techniques, such as role-playing, offers a fun and creative way to participate in therapy.

Detox centers in Florida can also help connect you with short-term and long-term treatment options. During detox, you will have the opportunity to engage in an individual and group therapy program while your treatment team minimizes your withdrawal symptoms. When you choose a detox program, you can choose among an inpatient, hospital-based or outpatient program. An inpatient detox center offers the highest level of care, which is best if you have a serious addiction. Outpatient detox programs, like partial hospitalization, are beneficial if you have mild withdrawal symptoms.

Finding Help Today

Battling a substance abuse disorder, addiction or alcoholism can make you feel lost, frustrated and trapped. With treatment, recovery is always possible. Since drugs and alcohol can cause serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, reaching out to an inpatient detox center is the best way to begin your recovery journey.

Treatment and detox centers can offer a group therapy program, individual counseling and family therapy, which can help you learn the skills and tools you need to successfully recover. Call us today at 866.723.3127 to find out more about our programs and your treatment options.