Recovery from drugs or alcohol abuse takes more than just going to rehab. A holistic approach to healing involves taking care of the physical, psychological, and social aspects of treatment. Once you’ve finally stopped abusing, the next important step is to stay sober and avoid relapse. One of the best solutions to remain sober is joining a support group. This is a community of recovering addicts and experts who will hold your hand on your journey to sobriety. You might be hesitant at first; we’ve all seen scenes in movies where characters awkwardly stumble into these meetings. However, here are some of the reasons you should join a support group as a recovering addict.
1 Getting Referrals for Addiction Treatment
For addicts who have never been to rehab, it’s difficult to know where to start recovering. A support group can help you to get referrals to the right counselors or treatment options. For instance, you can get a reference for drug and alcohol detox from this Virginia drug rehab to eliminate physical dependence on drugs.
2 Discovering You Are Not Alone
Recovery from drugs comes with many sacrifices and changes. You might no longer fit in the same friendship circles you are used to, which can take a toll on your emotions. A support group helps you understand you are not alone in this journey. It gives you a whole new perspective of life by making you realize other people are going through the same thing. You will work to avoid feelings of loneliness, stress, or guilt.
3 Opportunity to Express Your Feelings
There’s a lot of stigmas associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Not everyone is ready to listen to your reason for getting into drugs or how difficult the recovery has been. However, a support group allows you to share your story. Having someone who cares about your struggles is a crucial step towards recovery. It’s a healing and therapeutic experience, especially when you speak out to non-judgmental peers.
4 Helping Others
You might think your story is not necessary to others; on the flip side, it can be of great help to others who are going through the same experience. You will be encouraging other members by sharing your experience. With continued support from your counselors and peers in the group, you might discover your gift for mentorship. This might drive you to take on a career as a counselor to mentor young adults or other addicts.
5 Accountability For Your Actions
Recovery from drugs or alcohol is a lifelong commitment. You have to stay on course by engaging in activities that help you avoid relapsing. Once you are out of rehab, the first thing you should do is join a support group that will hold you accountable for your actions. When you have mentors and peers in the group, you will have a guilty conscience whenever you feel like relapsing. You, therefore, need someone watching over your shoulder and giving you the right guidance to stay sober.
6 No Charges
Most, if not all, peer-support groups are free for anyone to attend. These groups are generally community-run or self-supporting through small contributions to meet necessary expenses. You don’t have to worry about subscription fees or any other charges when joining a peer-support group. Check the available groups in your city and join one that you feel most comfortable attending.
Bottom Line
The benefits of joining a recovery support group are endless. It gives you a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear and helps you become more social. Make sure you select the right fit to gain from the many benefits that peer-support groups have to offer.
