Introduction
Addiction does not have an assigned definition. This effectively means that there are various definitions to drug and alcohol addiction that have been explored in the past. For purposes of this discussion, addiction will be defined as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019). In addition to evaluating the effectiveness of group therapy aid in the treatment of alcohol addiction, this paper will, amongst other things, highlight various aspects of the formations designed to assist alcohol addicts as well as those affected by the alcohol addiction problems/behaviors of loved ones.

Discussion

It is important to note, from the onset, that the relevance of group therapy in the treatment of alcohol addiction cannot be overstated. In essence, “the natural propensity of human beings to congregate makes group therapy a powerful therapeutic tool for treating substance abuse, one that is as helpful as individual therapy, and sometimes more successful” (Brook and Spitz 2002, p. 309). This is more so the case given that in a residential treatment facility, the client gains access to not only the encouragement, but also the support of the surrounding community. In essence, human beings have a natural inclination to learn from others who are like them in some way. Coupled with the propensity for humans to congregate, this makes group therapy a very effective intervention approach in the treatment of substance abuse (Brook and Spitz, 2002).

It is also important to note that in most cases, an isolated environment precedes most addicts’ move to seek help. This is particularly the case given that the destructive behaviors resulting from addiction are often repulsive to other people, including friends and family members. Integrating addicts in a group therapy setup is of great relevance as there is a stronger support base that makes the battle against addiction easier. The message that group therapy advances is that the battle against addiction does not have to be fought alone. In basic terms, therefore, group therapy aids in treating addiction largely via the creation of a family-like environment whereby persons suffering from addiction can develop the skills necessary to fight the said addiction and related problems. In this case, the fact that clients relate and learn from one another leads to the creation of a strong support system that not only gives the said clients hope, but also offers them comfort and the conviction that they can succeed in the recovery process. It is also important to note that the relationships formulated in group therapy facilitate accountability. On this front, there is often a well-defined feedback mechanism that creates accountability and hence a strong supportive mechanism.

It should, however, be noted that regardless of the various benefits as well as effectiveness of group therapy in the treatment of addiction, there are also a number of risks that have been associated with the same. Lack of confidentiality is one of the more prominent downsides of group therapy. Essentially, there is a false sense...…there are a number of treatment options that could be adopted. Some of these include, but they are not limited to, finding help in mutual-support groups, use of medications, and behavioral treatments. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism points out that “behavioral treatments are aimed at changing drinking behavior through counseling” (NIH, 2019). Towards this end, in addition to being directed by a health professional, behavioral treatments are also rooted in studies underlining their utility (NIH, 2019). Therefore, while behavioral anonymous groups operate on a professional platform, alcoholic anonymous is nonprofessional and its deliberations are run in a self-help peer support format. It is important to note that as Buddy (2017) points out, numerous randomized control trials undertaken amongst abusers of a wide range of substances indicate that when comparisons are made between behavioral treatments and “other treatment approaches, studies have had mixed results”, with some indicating that behavioral therapy is “more effective while others show it to be of equal, but not greater, effectiveness than other treatments” including mutual-support groups like AA.

Conclusion

In basic terms, addiction is not easy to treat. Towards this end, those with addiction problems often require exposure to a structured and in some instances repeated or long-term care so as facilitate full recovery. Towards this end, there are various approaches that have proven successful in addiction treatment. These include, but they are not limited to, medication and behavioral counseling. There is need, however, for future studies to focus on how the said treatment options differ in terms of…