The Importance of Support While Recovering From Addiction

Why Is Community Support Necessary for A Successful Recovery?

Addiction is a complicated, chronic disease. It can be all-consuming and have an impact on every area of a person’s life, from their health, career, and schooling to personal relationships, finances, and more. So when someone decides that they want to conquer their addiction and begin the journey toward recovery, it can be terrifying to think they’ll be walking the road alone.

For this reason (and many others), people in recovery need community and family support. A strong community gives these individuals the emotional and tangible foundation they need to successfully move on from addiction.

Starting the Recovery Journey

Everyone in recovery knows it can be a tough experience, especially in the beginning, but the struggles of early sobriety are worth it to get back control of your life and health.

When a person decides they want to get sober and pursue long-term recovery, the first step is to enter a detox program that can help them get through the painful and dangerous parts of drug and alcohol withdrawal. When they’re ready, they should enter an addiction treatment program where they can focus on building the emotional and mental tools they’ll need to cope and function as a sober individual.

Treatment Methods for Addiction

Every addiction treatment program is different, depending on the individual and their specific needs. But rehab centers offer a general suite of services for those struggling with addiction.

These services or treatment methods may include:

Medical detoxification
Medication-assisted therapy
One-on-one therapy
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
Medication therapy management
Relapse prevention
Group therapy
- 12-step programs
- Other group-based meetings

The group therapy component is especially important in helping individuals establish a community early in the recovery process. Recovery support groups and community involvement can create a network of accountability and connection for both newly sober people and long-time recovering addicts.

What Is Community Support?

The word “support” is very broad, so what makes something community support? Community support is defined as a group of people who provide a range of resources and help to each other. These community networks are typically structured around group meetings where people in recovery can share stories and offer mutual guidance and encouragement. People in recovery groups also provide emotional support and tangible resources to one another. This can include things like housing, transportation, clothing for job interviews, and resources for food or financial assistance.

Recovery housing programs provide newly sober people with safe, affordable housing in a structured recovery environment. People in recovery housing programs live in a group setting with other sober people. They work with Certified Recovery Specialists to rebuild the skills and resources they’ll need to reintegrate into their communities. This includes finding gainful employment and reliable transportation, establishing healthy financial habits, and connecting with a community support group.

Support: The Key Component in Treatment

While all treatment methods work together to encourage recovery, community support is among the most important. When someone leaves rehab, they will no longer have immediate access to daily meetings and traditional treatment. They will, however, have a community of individuals who know where they have been and are there to help them.

Why Do You Need Support for Sobriety?

Those recovering from addiction may benefit from community support in several ways. Some of the benefits include:

A sense of belonging
A safe & secure environment
Ability to express one’s concerns and be understood
Relief for loneliness & isolation
A source of hope for the future

The key to reaping the benefits of post-rehab community support is to find a group that resonates with you.

Where to Find A Strong Support System

Multiple recovery support groups exist across the United States. Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other similar groups have deep networks around the country and provide active community support to millions of people in recovery. Those interested in community support can search online to find groups that meet at locations in their area. If in-person meetings don’t appeal to you, there are also virtual support groups available.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to sobriety and recovery, STR Behavioral Health is here to help. Explore our locations, and reach out to us today to learn more about addiction treatment and support programs.