Rehab Center Promotes Group Therapy as One Opioid Crisis Solution

Greenland, N.H. — Addiction Recovery Services, a rehab center based in New Hampshire, has published a blog post on why effective group therapy can actually save lives from the opioid epidemic. The post was written in response to the fact that over the last several years, fentanyl and opioid use in general has spiked in the state.

According to a 2018 Dartmouth study cited in the post, most opioids (including fentanyl) that are used in New Hampshire are being manufactured across state lines in Massachusetts and being sold in New Hampshire for exceptionally low prices. Since financial strain is often a cause of use, according to the same study, these low prices allow easy access to those that are the most vulnerable to substance use. Opioid use was found to be particularly common in rural parts of the state.

In 2018 alone, the same year that the Dartmouth study was published, 412 New Hampshirites lost their lives to opioid use, the post states. The medical professionals at Addiction Recovery Services (ARS) believe the use of effective group therapy can bring that number down in the coming years.

“Group therapy is particularly useful for substance use disorders because substance use disorders are a particularly stigmatized problem,” said ARS Program Director John Iudice.

According to the post, there is research-based evidence that group therapy encourages people to make changes in their life. Group therapy is designed to make people feel less isolated with their behavioral health problems, allow them to see that others triumph over similar issues, and encourage them to work through problems as a team.

“Group therapy is a reminder we are not alone, and recovery is possible,” Iudice said. Group therapy has many benefits, including allowing people to work on social skills, receive social support, learn from others, build healthy connections with others, and practice communication skills.

Group therapy at Addiction Recovery Services focuses on the four fundamental principles of respect; choice; treating the person, not just the problem; and preventing relapse, Iudice said. ARS’ intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers three-hour-long group therapy sessions four days a week for five weeks. Treatment may be extended beyond the initial five weeks.

ARS is an addiction treatment center that serves Southern New Hampshire, Maine, and Northern Massachusetts. To learn more about their services, visit their website or call (978) 228-2766.