Over the past four decades, psychiatric social workers have been conducting group interventions for persons with substance use disorders at NIMHANS. In this article, the authors highlight the brief history of group therapy, differences between group therapy and group work, and purpose and indicators of group therapy. This article sheds light on practical aspects of conducting group interventions for persons with substance use disorders and skills required by the group therapist for conducting the same andbenefits of attending group interventions. Research studies carried out at NIMHANS on group intervention for persons with substance use disorders, assessing group processes, dynamics and outcome of group interventions have been highlighted as well.
Keywords: Group therapy; Group work; alcohol; substance use.