Both early and late recovery can bring on intense loneliness. Knowing that making positive life changes is often required to make steady progress in recovery, the healing process can often feel isolating. When an individual feels alone during recovery, they may return to toxic friends who still abuse drugs for comfort. Substance exposure can increase cravings and trigger addictive behaviors. On that account, a strong support system is critical for one to stay on track to a healthy recovery and gain a more structured well-being.
The Importance of Social Support in Recovery
Research indicates that an individual’s perceptions and source of social connection are particularly important. This is the case even if the source of support comes from a person living a completely different lifestyle. Increased social support has been found to reduce substance use rates after completing treatment. Social support fosters treatment retention, days abstinent, and abstinence self-efficacy. Developing a strong support network can facilitate healthier positive outcomes such as providing a better quality of life and decreased stress and anxiety from active addiction.
Attend AA/NA Meetings for a Strong Support System
Knowing that recovery can be a long challenging road, Alcohol Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA) meetings can be beneficial to those who are yearning for support. These meetings can help increase motivation as a multitude of individuals who seek support gain a safe place to confide. Participants can share their past experiences with addiction, major achievements, and goals for their future for support. Individuals become more knowledgeable about different recovery groups within their community and develop new opportunities for a safer future.
Reside in a Sober Living Home for a Strong Support System
Not everyone feels comfortable transitioning into recovery alone. It is common for some individuals who have a history of substance use disorder to fear returning home to a toxic living environment. Their addictive behaviors may have been triggered by unwanted substance exposure or mistreatment in their past living space. Fortunately, a sober living home at Renaissance Ranch can provide a sober environment with peer support free from trauma and substance exposure.
Join an Alumni Program for a Strong Support System
Sobriety is a lifelong journey. After spending time in a sober living home, it can be even more helpful for one to join an alumni program. Doing so can provide a stronger support system, a sense of community, and belonging for an enhanced recovery. The Brotherhood at Renaissance Ranch is a tight-knit alumni group where alumni hold each other accountable for what it takes to stay sober. Alumni can join together to engage in sober activities including:
- Camping trips
- Marathons
- Sporting events
- Study groups
Participate in Outpatient Group Therapy
Balancing sober living with daily life responsibilities can seem overwhelming. When an individual with substance use disorder becomes engulfed in their steady priorities, it can be easy to fall off track while in recovery. Life can seem pretty hectic. If one does not develop a structured routine or seek support as needed they may put themselves at risk for experiencing the 3 stages of relapse: emotional, mental, and physical relapse.
Emotional relapse is when one remembers the last time they used but does not want to use it again. Nonetheless, their emotions and behaviors may set them up to engage in substance use later on. Mental relapse is when one fights a war in their mind and feels indecisive about using substances again. The urge to use vastly increases over time. If one’s symptoms are unmanaged, it’s only a matter of time before the individual endures a physical relapse.
It can seem nearly impossible for one to make time for addiction and mental health treatment, develop a strong social network, and take care of daily tasks while trying to transition into a normal way of living. Although this may be true, social support is crucial for one to maintain lasting sobriety. Thankfully, outpatient group therapy at Renaissance Ranch provides the flexibility needed to gain balance while in recovery. For example, an individual may attend work or school during the day and then attend group therapy with peers in the afternoon for a short period. Peer support in outpatient group therapy can also help one feel less alone to promote ongoing success.
Move Forward With a Recovery Coach
Finding different social outlets while in recovery can be tough for one with substance use disorder. It can be easy for one experiencing problems in recovery to feel like no one else can understand what they have gone through and are going through. However, a recovery coach generally has personal and extensive experience with addiction recovery. Although their road to recovery may truly be personally unique, a peer recovery coach can provide one with emotional, informational, instrumental, and affiliations support to flourish during the healing process. A recovery coach can also guide one in gaining the support needed to maintain sobriety for a brighter future.
Here at Renaissance Ranch, we offer a unique, clinically driven approach to addiction recovery. Part of that process includes gender-specific therapeutic environments. We offer treatment services for life because we understand that recovery is a lifelong process of spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental change. Continuing care is a key part of our recovery program. It helps you or your loved one step down from the intensity of residential treatment but still provides therapy, structure, rules, and expectations. If an individual follows our recommendation, their life WILL change and a lasting, joyful recovery will be attained. Call Renaissance Ranch at (801) 308-8898 to gain support and learn more information about our aftercare services.