Group Therapy for Addiction
What is Group Therapy Like for Substance Abuse?
For many people in Chicago who are navigating recovery from substance use, the idea of attending group therapy can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re unsure what happens in a meeting, afraid of being judged, or just not ready to open up. That’s completely understandable. But here’s the good news: group therapy is one of the most powerful and supportive tools available for people working through addiction—and you don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you’re in the early stages of recovery or have been sober for years and want to maintain progress, there are group options across the city that can meet you where you are. From Uptown to Lakeview, from Rogers Park to Pilsen, recovery communities in Chicago are as diverse as the people in them. This blog will walk you through what group therapy looks like, what types of groups are available, and how to take that first step.
Why Group Therapy Works
Substance use disorders often carry a heavy emotional burden. Shame, secrecy, and isolation are common experiences that can keep people stuck in the cycle of addiction. Group therapy offers a radically different path, one where connection replaces shame, honesty replaces silence, and support replaces judgment.
In group therapy, you're surrounded by others who understand your struggles firsthand. Whether you're working through alcohol addiction, opioid dependency, or struggles with multiple substances, you don’t have to explain everything—you just have to show up. The shared experience of the group helps reduce shame, fosters accountability, and provides concrete tools to help prevent relapse.
Types of Groups in Chicago
There are many different types of group therapy and support groups in Chicago that cater to a wide range of needs, preferences, and recovery philosophies.
Open vs. Closed Groups, In Person and Virtual Capabilities
Open groups allow anyone to attend at any time. These are great for first-timers or people exploring different support options.
Closed groups are for a consistent group of individuals who meet regularly, which helps build deeper trust and continuity over time.
In Person - In an urban area like Chicago, in person meetings are available and accessible in community centers, churches, clinics or hospitals.
Virtual - Luckily, there is a wide range of groups that meet virtually at every time zone possible, you can seek help any time of day.. You can even join an international meeting!
Recovery Group Options
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – One of the most widespread recovery communities in the world, with daily meetings in almost every Chicago neighborhood.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – Designed for people struggling with any form of drug addiction.
SMART Recovery – A science-based, secular alternative to 12-step groups that focuses on cognitive-behavioral techniques.
Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Marijuana Anonymous (MA), and other specialized groups also have local chapters in the city.
Support for Friends & Family
Groups like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon offer much-needed support to loved ones of those struggling with addiction. If your partner, child, or parent is in recovery—or not yet seeking help—these groups can give you the tools and support to cope in a healthy, empowered way.
Another valuable option I often recommend is Codependents Anonymous (CoDA). Codependency frequently affects individuals struggling with substance use, as well as their loved ones. CoDA provides a supportive space to address these patterns and follows a structure similar to traditional AA meetings.
For more information on alternatives, check out BLOG LINK
What to Expect in a Group Session
Although each group has its own format, there are a few common elements most meetings share:
1. Welcome and Opening - The facilitator (who may be a peer or a trained counselor) will open the meeting with a reading, brief statement, or moment of reflection. In some groups, a prayer or poem is read. This helps ground the group and sets the tone.
2. Lesson or Topic - Each session usually includes a central topic. In 12-step groups, this might involve reading from the Big Book or focusing on a specific step. In other groups, topics may include coping with cravings, managing stress, or improving relationships in recovery.
3. Sharing Time - After the lesson, participants are invited to share. Sharing is always optional. If you’re attending your first meeting, it’s completely fine to just listen. Over time, you might feel comfortable enough to contribute your own story.
4. Closing - Groups often end with a closing thought or affirmation. In Chicago’s multicultural recovery spaces, this could include spiritual reflections, a moment of silence, or even a group mantra.
Where to Find Groups on the North Side
You have access to dozens of in-person and virtual meetings throughout the North Side of Chicago. Here are some helpful starting points:
Chicago Area AA – Search by neighborhood for in-person meetings in Andersonville, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, and more. Look for groups at local churches like St. Gertrude or Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ.
SMART Recovery – Mostly virtually at this time, but LifeRing in Evanston offers in person meetings.
Howard Brown Health – Offers LGBTQ+-inclusive addiction services and group therapy in Uptown.
PCC Community Wellness – Serves North and West Chicago neighborhoods with low-cost group therapy and counseling.
Heartland Alliance – Located in Uptown, provides trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care for people in recovery.
CoDA.org - Search by neighborhood for in-person meetings or virtual meetings
You can also ask your primary care doctor or therapist for referrals. Many behavioral health providers offer sliding scale fees or accept Medicaid and major insurance plans.
Final Thoughts
If you're living in Chicago and navigating recovery, group therapy offers more than just treatment—it offers community. Whether you're walking into a church basement in Lincoln Park or joining a virtual SMART meeting from your apartment in Rogers Park, you’ll find people who truly understand what you’re going through.
Recovery doesn’t have to be lonely. In this city, you’re surrounded by people who have been where you are, and are ready to walk alongside you. All you have to do is take the first step.