ugh... it was horribly triggering... they were loud and intense and very much hard-core CBT with no real teaching, just expecting you to know the right answer... so pretty much a combination of DBT & my family of origin, only on steroids... I ended up leaving early and getting light-headed on the way home. i pulled over for about 40 minutes, trying to get my vision back and remembering to breathe. I ended up calling a crisis line because I wasn't doing very well in grounding myself. That was the most positive aspect of the whole ordeal (both actually being able to call, and the support I found on the other end - a first in regards to the support). so, chalk that up to a learning experience ad move on. I think if you can handle the more "harsh" style of CBT and DBT, then this could be a really good alternative to a 12-step program. I think also that this particular group of individuals was very loud and intense... many had anger issues, and that is a trigger for me. The woman who was the wife of the facilitator pretty much took over the meeting and was very critical (in a negative way, not supportive or prompting and real growth, just pretty much quite literally yelling when she thought you were wrong in some thought process or belief).
It just all very much reminded me of my mom's "just change your thinking, now, and everything will be better" approach and my dad's verbal abuse. <-- not a good fit for me at this time.
The CBT could be useful if they bothered actually teaching it or offering a way to learn it, and mentioning that you should be on your way through CBT before you go to a group. I can see how it can be a helpful method. Unfortunately, all the written learning materials and guides cost money.