When a person decides to give up substances and enter recovery, it can feel like they are required to do a lot. In addition to going to treatment, they are often advised to attend therapy, start meds for their mental health, eat healthier, exercise, find a spiritual home, and attend recovery meetings like AA or NA. But is that all really necessary? Can a person stay sober without attending meetings with other people in recovery? At Safe Harbor Recovery Center, in Portsmouth, Virginia, we think it’s important for our clients to know what benefits there are to attending support groups and finding other ways to connect with sober supports.
Why You Should Attend Recovery Meetings
It can sometimes be easy to dismiss the information a person receives from professionals, because they haven’t been in your shoes. It can feel like their knowledge just comes from school and does not apply to your situation. addiction: they may be able to share programs that worked for them and can be a part of your long-term sober support network and can remind you how far you have come.
It’s sometimes easier to recognize and accept that you are engaging in some unhealthy behaviors when you see your story mirrored back at you from another person who has faced addiction. You may learn new coping skills and craving management techniques and can become a person other people in recovery lean on for support.
You may be able to find a sponsor who is able to work closely with you on your recovery goals and guide you on your journey. Going to a meeting consistently will add structure to your days, which is a good way to reduce your risk of relapsing.
Additionally, talking to someone else in recovery can improve your confidence and self-esteem and give you hope for your own recovery.
Peer Support Options
If you go to a recovery meeting and you’re just not feeling like it is the place for you, there are still plenty of ways you can access peer support, such as:
- The same type of recovery meeting, but at a different time or location. Sometimes a meeting that includes different people will have a completely different vibe and be a better fit.
- A different type of recovery meeting. Not every recovery meeting is the right fit, and that’s okay. If one type of meeting doesn’t resonate with you, don’t assume that support groups aren’t for you. Explore SMART Recovery, Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), or LifeRing if you prefer a less spiritual approach. Celebrate Recovery offers Christ-centered support, while Double Trouble in Recovery is designed for people managing both substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Virtual meetings. If you’re struggling to get to the in-person meetings in your area, you may also be able to find online meetings
- Alumni group. Many treatment programs, including Safe Harbor, offer activities for program graduates to get together and build connections with other people in recovery.
- A certified peer recovery specialist. Sometimes also called a recovery coach, these are people who are typically paid to utilize their own lived experience to support other people who are newer to recovery, individually and/or in groups. They can sometimes make referrals to services and even go with you when you are nervous. They often work for homeless shelters, insurance companies, hospitals, behavioral health programs, drop-in centers, or other places that offer recovery services.
- People already in your life. After you get sober, you may find that other people you know are more willing to be open about their own struggles with addiction. Don’t be surprised if you discover people such as neighbors, co-workers, or other members of your spiritual community are also in recovery.
At Safe Harbor Recovery Center, we recognize that each person’s recovery journey is unique to them and that each of our clients will need a different plan for sustained sobriety. That’s why we create evidence-based, individualized treatment plans based on their needs, goals, and strengths.