Every year, millions of people in the US struggle with drug addiction and substance abuse. The reasoning behind their drug use won’t change the inevitable outcome – pain, suffering, violence, self-harm, instability, and death. Roughly 100,000 people die of a drug overdose every year.
That’s why drug addiction treatment and recovery are so important to the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual health of the patient. Without professional help, a whole-body detox, medication management, therapy, and aftercare, drug addiction can and will ruin a patient’s life.
The good news is you don’t have to go through that process alone, and there are millions of people ready to help you recover. You don’t have to live in agony, and while the recovery process is no walk in the park, you’ll eventually regain your sense of control and life back.
Are There Support Groups for Addiction Recovery?
Having a solid support system is essential to the addiction recovery process. And while most people’s support system will include family, friends, loved ones, doctors, therapists, and other professionals, it should also include like-minded individuals that are going through similar things.
Luckily, there are a wide range of support groups for addiction recovery all over the world, and there are likely some right in your community. You’ll be surprised by what you can learn and take away from addiction recovery support groups, yet many people don’t take advantage of it.
Don’t be one of those people – your life is too precious, and you deserve more! That’s why you should be doing whatever possible to quit drugs for good. Combined with your personal support system, a support group can be the difference between recovering and using again.
What are the Benefits of Support Groups for Recovery?
Support groups play a vital role in virtually every stage of the addiction recovery process – from the detox period to the inpatient or outpatient treatment (therapy, medication, lifestyle changes). It even plays a significant role in aftercare, ensuring patients remain drug-free beyond rehab.
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent benefits of support groups for recovery:
- They remind you that you’re not alone in your fight toward recovery
- You receive the compassion and support that you need through recovery
- They help you better accept yourself and give you meaning in life
- They provide inspiration and motivation to continue the recovery process
- They put things into perspective, especially for those that need it
- You not only receive support, but you get to provide support to others that need it
Being open and honest around others that are recovering from addiction – as well as listening to their stories and their experience with drug addiction – can do a lot for someone’s own journey towards recovery. A lot of good can come from it, so long as you take it seriously.
Examples of Recovery Support Groups
While your friends, family, and loved ones often make for the best support group – especially when you need someone to lift you up – you should be open to speaking about your problems with others outside of your personal support group. It’s available to you, so why not give it a try?
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent examples of recovery support groups:
- 12-Step Groups – the most popular 12-step group is Alcoholics Anonymous, but others focus on other drugs (Cocaine Anonymous, Heroin Anonymous, etc.).
- SMART – an acronym that stands for ‘self-management and recovery training,’ these types of groups focus on self-empowerment and are an alternative to 12-step groups.
- Women for Sobriety – since men and women experience drug addiction differently, this support group exclusively focuses on women interested in a drug-free life.
- Family Support Groups – addiction doesn’t just impact the individual that’s using, but their friends and family as a whole. These support groups focus on the family impact.
Not all support groups are created equal, and while we’d like to think you can benefit from any support group, it’s important that you find the one that best fits your needs. Don’t worry, it’s well worth it when you find the right one, and it’ll play a significant role in your ability to fully recover.
How to Find Recovery Support Groups in Los Angeles
Are you interested in living a drug-free life? Are you worried that you won’t have the support you need to get through the recovery process? If so, don’t panic – you’re not alone, and there are support groups ready to give a helping hand. Recovery is right around the corner at our Burbank rehab center.
At Multi Concept Recovery, we take a human-based, customized, and innovative approach to treating drug addiction. We ensure all patient’s needs are met – whether that means therapy, medication, detox, emotional support, or all of the above. Contact us today to learn more!
