The Brotherhood: Staying Connected as Alumni

Oct 18, 2022

When you look back on the hardest times in your life and wonder how you got through it all, look no further than the people who didn’t give up on you and lifted you up because they believed you could succeed. Whether you find it was your family, friends, peer group, or higher power, we can always be grateful for the people around us who care for and love us.

During your time at Renaissance Ranch, you learned the importance of peer support and brotherhood. Even when times were tough, your fellows in treatment were there to encourage you and hold you accountable.

Even though treatment is over, those bonds are still there. As an alumnus of Renaissance Ranch, you will always have access to the support systems you learned and became a part of. Let’s learn about the many ways you can stay involved.

Bonded by Brotherhood

Renaissance Ranch is not just a treatment center. It is a lifetime commitment, a lifelong change that you are making in which you are choosing a healthy, sober life. It is a family, one forged of steel rather than born of blood, made stronger by the trials you face together.

The Band of Brothers alumni program at Renaissance Ranch perfectly encapsulates the idea that we are in this for the long haul. We understand that addiction does not take a day off, and neither do we. We work tirelessly as coaches, peers, and brothers to ensure that you always have someone to talk to and somewhere to go.

In the Band of Brothers program, you are paired with an alumnus who has been out of the program for a while. He knows what you are going through because he has been there himself. He uniquely knows your struggles, can listen, and maybe has some tricks up his sleeve to cope with what life throws at you.

The Band of Brothers program at Renaissance Ranch is truly unique in combining fraternity with the proven success of a peer support program – but what is peer support, and why is it important?

The Benefits of Peer Support

When we help each other with nonclinical and nonprofessional assistance while in an otherwise clinical setting, it is called peer support. Peer support can be many things, including:

  • Listening to someone who needs to talk
  • Group meetings where members share their stories and struggles
  • Participating in leisure activities and bonding exercises
  • Engaging with each other in educational activities
  • Just being there for your friend during difficult times

One of the main reasons why peer support is important is that it works for long-term recovery. Research shows that people who have access to strong peer support networks are more likely to choose healthy and sober behaviors, more likely to engage in treatment, and more likely to avoid risky behaviors.

Peer support can bring about great outcomes in individuals who are moving from inpatient treatment into outpatient recovery. Having your friends to keep you accountable as you go back into the community gives you a head start on building that new, healthy life you wanted by providing you with the support structure you need. 

The Power of Brotherhood in Recovery

Admitting that you have a problem and need help can make you feel vulnerable and scared. Having your peers to support you during treatment can drive away those feelings and make you feel safe and secure.

In fact, having a brotherhood that you call your family can give you hope for recovery and a brighter tomorrow. When you have hope, you believe that no matter what challenges you face, you will be able to overcome them. You can overcome them, with the backing of your brothers.

There are some other components of recovery that drive us forward. Whether we realize it or not, we are engaging in these every time we pass through struggles. Here is how they relate to the brotherhood you found at Renaissance Ranch:

Resilience is how you respond to adversity and change in the world around you. You were resilient when you asked for help and sought treatment and showed such strength in admitting you have a problem. Resilience grows stronger when we have our friends to back us up and pull us up when we fall down. Having a good peer support network in recovery is all the more important for resilience.

Relationships and social networks are another important part of recovery. Your brotherhood gives you a firm foundation to step back out into the world knowing they have your back. The Band of Brothers alumni will always be a voice of support and accountability as you learn to navigate a new, healthy, sober life.

Our Creed, Our Calling

The Band of Brothers alumni events at Renaissance Ranch enable you to stay involved in the community. Every Wednesday evening at 7 pm in The Loft at the Bluffdale men’s campus you can join your brothers at the 12-Step alumni meeting. At these meetings, your peers can help keep you remain on the straight and narrow as you gather for fellowship. Join your brothers for fun outdoor activities like hikes, barbeques, softball, and tournaments as you fellowship and compete in athletics, building your body and your health as you receive the support you need. The quarterly golf tournaments also keep us connected to our brothers and our community, and we have fun while we are at it.

Remember that your peer support is just a phone call away. Never hesitate to contact your brothers. It is our creed and calling to support the brotherhood by being a big brother, and one day, it will be yours, too. 

At Renaissance Ranch, the brotherhood you became a part of is like an army of warriors surrounding you, ready to help you take on any of life’s troubles. Here, we believe in the power of peer support and uplifting one another so we can be the absolute best men that we can be. Keeping that connection to the Renaissance Ranch family and your support system can seem like a challenge after treatment. The Band of Brothers alumni program is the key to staying connected. You never have to look far to find activities that may seem right for you. Whether you are into having backyard barbeques, leisurely outdoor fun, hikes, or organized events like golf tournaments, the Band of Brothers alumni program has something for everyone. With your brothers, you can find support. Call (801) 308-8898 and get the encouragement you need.