Both early and late recovery can come with many different challenges. Although early recovery can be a vulnerable stage, boredom in late recovery can trigger cravings and a shift in one’s mood. If an individual faces difficulty maintaining a structured routine, they may experience an unwanted relapse. Therefore, social support is a crucial element in recovery.
Fortunately, many individuals have found great success making healthy connections at Renaissance Ranch. There is much value that can come from participating in outpatient group therapy. Renaissance Ranch understands that recovery is a lifelong process. Our Band of Brothers Alumni Network can also help one establish a foundation and culture of sobriety that permeates every facet of their life to achieve lasting sobriety.
The Challenges of Both Early and Late Recovery
Early recovery typically requires an individual to make serious changes in their life. This can be a very busy stage in one’s life. To avoid unwanted drug and alcohol exposure, an individual may move from the busy city away from the bar scenes and party life to a more rural area. An individual may seek new employment options and engage in sober activities in their free time. One may work to remove toxic relationships to eliminate the pressures of misusing harmful substances. Although early recovery can be a hectic time, social support with the right individuals is very important. Therefore, it can help an individual put ongoing effort into making healthy connections with other sober individuals.
Once a routine is established, boredom can kick in, making one more susceptible to falling down the three stages of relapse. These include emotional, mental, and physical relapses. When life tends to slow down, it can be easy for one to get distracted, bend the rules a bit, and find it hard to ward off substance cravings. This is why it is so important for one to stay connected with sober individuals to stay on track while in recovery.
The Importance of Social Support for All Stages of Recovery
Research indicates that social support is vital for one with a substance use disorder (SUD) to sustain recovery. A growing body of research has discovered that such individuals who obtain stronger social support networks remain in treatment for a longer period and achieve better recovery outcomes. They also have shown a reduced likelihood of enduring an unwanted substance relapse. The type of social support one receives matters greatly. For example, even having one friend who also supports a sober lifestyle may have a stronger influence on recovery than spending time with an individual who does not.
The Value of Group Therapy for Social Support
It can feel nerve-racking for some individuals to get back out in society and connect with others. They may experience mistrust with others as their past friendships may have been a bad influence. Once an individual hits the age of 21, a majority of society tends to normalize drinking during holiday celebrations, NASCAR races, or sporting events. Drinking and smoking ads are everywhere. It can be tough for one to find friends who also prefer a sober lifestyle. Peer pressure to misuse harmful substances can also be problematic.
Even the most motivated individuals may find it challenging to just say no to drugs and alcohol. Some individuals fear hurtful judgment and stigma or may feel embarrassed to admit they live a sober lifestyle. In this case, outpatient group therapy can be the perfect option. Group therapy is a type of therapy that involves multiple individuals who have gone through a similar experience. Confiding in others who are also working towards long-term sobriety can also help one learn to embrace their choice to abstain from harmful substances. Listening to other individuals’ testimonials can also give one hope to keep moving forward. Further benefits of group therapy include:
- Lasting relationships with the right individuals
- Reduced isolation and stigma
- Improved communication and interpersonal skills
- Practiced recovery-oriented-coping strategies
Joining the Band of Brothers Alumni Network at Renaissance Ranch for Social Support
Although group therapy can be beneficial, joining an alumni program can also help an individual expand their social network. Social isolation can often lead to a tragic relapse. An addiction alumni program can also give one a stronger sense of belonging, and counter social isolation for relapse prevention.
Many individuals yearn for social connection outside of addiction and mental health treatment. Daily stressors can also trigger substance use. Therefore, it can be helpful for one to attend alumni events to safely decompress from their day and effectively cope with daily stressors. The Band of Brothers alumni program at Renaissance Ranch is a tight-knit group, that holds one another accountable to what it takes to stay sober. The alumni program hosts weekly meetings, along with quarterly retreats and a wide range of annual events to get newer members of the program integrated with the alumni community. Renaissance Ranch alumni events include but are not limited to:
- Camping trips
- Marathons
- Sporting events
- Study groups
- Boating
Knowing social connection is important in recovery, men who have gone through our Band of Brothers’s Alumni program are constantly connecting with the newer members of the program and showing them that there is hope in recovery. Connection is everything, so we spare no time or expense to keep guys connected, day in and day out with other men who know what it’s like to struggle with alcoholism and addiction. We have reciprocal relationships where the alumni inspire hope in the newer members of the program, and the newer members give our alumni an opportunity to be of service. Call Renaissance Ranch at (801) 308-8898 to gain ongoing support while in recovery.