When you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, there is a reasonable chance that you will experience some embarrassment or guilt or shame related to the way you behaved before you got sober. Those are the sorts of the feelings that can cause you to isolate yourself from others because you worry that they are angry with you or will judge you or will just call to mind things you said or did that you would rather forget.
It is understandable that you might feel that way. But isolation is not a great idea for a person in recovery. In fact, you are actually far better served by making connections with groups of one kind or another.
Types of Group Support in Recovery
Let’s take a look at several kinds of groups that can support your ongoing sobriety.
Group Therapy
In the rehabilitation portion of treatment for a substance use disorder, group therapy is an essential part of the program. For some, this can be particularly challenging because they tend to be more introverted or they simply don’t want to talk about their substance use disorder with others.
Those are understandable feelings. But group therapy provides significant benefits—including a sense of comradery. Each person in the therapy group is dealing with the same sorts of challenges and that means they truly understand one another and can provide mutual support.
12-Step or Other Recovery Groups
A 12-Step program (or any of a number of alternatives) provides many of the same benefits as group therapy—including that sense of mutual support. Attending meetings also provides a sense of routine that can be very important for a person in recovery. Knowing that you have a recovery meeting coming up (or can drop into an extra meeting if you are having particular difficulties) can go a long way toward helping you withstand cravings and get through difficult days.
Faith or Volunteer Group
A faith community or a group of like-minded individuals working toward an important goal can provide a real boost to a person’s recovery efforts. For many, a belief in a higher power is extremely helpful as it can help an individual see beyond themselves and find a sense of peace and purpose.
That purpose can include a commitment to serving others—as can volunteer work, whether or not it is connected to any specific sort of spiritual practice. A spirit of service supports sobriety, and serving as part of a dedicated group of people undergirds recovery as well.
Group of Supportive Friends and Family
Of course, your supportive friends and family are another group that can truly help you maintain your sobriety. You will note that we included the word “supportive” ahead of “friends and family.” That is because it is essential that you make good choices about who you spend time with in sobriety.
You may have plenty of people you consider friends who were part of your life during your time using drugs or alcohol. You may well cherish some of your memories of those times. But to maintain your sobriety, you must distance yourself from individuals who are still using or drinking—or who will minimize your recovery and encourage you to take up bad habits.
Your supportive friends and family will understand the challenges you are facing and will be willing to help in any way they can. They are a group of people you know you can count on.
Group of Folks Who Share Your Interests
Loneliness and boredom are both enemies of sobriety, so it can be helpful to seek out and make connections with groups of people who share your interests. As long as those interests do not involve drug use or drinking, it really doesn’t matter what they turn out to be.
Join a book club. Take up role-playing games. Join an adult sports league. Get involved in a local arts organization. Take a cooking class. No matter what you enjoy (or think you might enjoy), there is a good chance there are others in your community who enjoy it, too. Leaning into your interests with others is an excellent way to avoid falling back into destructive habits.
The Whole Group at The Aviary is Here to Help
The entire staff at The Aviary Recovery Center is committed to helping you regain and maintain your sobriety. A substance use disorder can make you feel alone and isolated from everyone, but treatment will help dispel that notion as we work with you to overcome challenges and you interact with others going through similar difficulties.
Don’t go it alone. We can help you get sober while also addressing any mental health disorders that may be contributing to your struggles with drugs or alcohol. When you are ready to get with a group dedicated to your well-being, we are ready to help.
