When it comes to addiction treatment and recovery, finding local support is an absolute game changer. For those of us in treatment and recovery from substance abuse, having positive social support can make all the difference. When we have easy access to therapists and peers in recovery in our local area, we are more likely to stay the course and remain committed to a sober lifestyle. As a local facility in Clovis, California, we at First Steps Recovery work hard to be that local resource. We recognize the power of community, understanding, and shared experiences in fostering lasting treatment and recovery. At First Steps, we offer social support through peer support groups, group therapy, individual therapy, and alumni programs.
Finding Local Support for Addiction Recovery
According to The American Journal on Addictions, social support plays a critical role in the success of short-term inpatient treatment and long-term recovery outcomes. This support often begins in a treatment facility. When finding the right care team and treatment facility, we tend to consider many factors. We want a facility that is professional and reliable. Additionally, we likely want a care team that supports sustained recovery and promotes holistic healing. On top of those requirements, it is also important that we have access to the vital social supports that promote our successful treatment outcomes and lifelong recovery.
The professional staff who guide us through treatment and recovery are a big part of this local support. After treatment ends, it is ideal if we can continue to have access to the same staff members who were helping us. Additionally, having social support people nearby who you rely on such as peers in recovery as well as family and friends is helpful. Finding people nearby with whom we share similar experiences can be a key to success.
There is a good reason why it may be necessary for us to add new members to our social support system in recovery. As we begin to live healthy and sober lives, we need to surround ourselves with people who support our choices. Having sober friends helps to keep us sober. These people support us by being available for socialization without drugs and alcohol being present. They also provide us with understanding because they share similar experiences and goals. Family, friends, and our new sober friends also help to keep us accountable. They support our decisions to choose sobriety and offer encouragement when we turn down controlled substances in social situations.
Peer Support Groups Bring Success to Addiction Treatment
One of the benefits of finding local support during our addiction treatment and recovery is that it lasts beyond our facility stay. While we are in the inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, we benefit from the peer support and interactions we experience. Having that continue after we transition to sober living is a gift. Peer support and socialization give us the nonjudgmental environment we need. Peers share the same experiences we do and are people we can learn from and gain insights on recovery from.
According to the journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, peer support groups show promise in helping people remain sober. These types of groups help us to have a sense of camaraderie and give us hope and empowerment during our recovery periods. When we engage in peer support groups, we have access to the collective knowledge and information of the group. This community creates a valuable support system as we move through the process of treatment and recovery and into lifelong sobriety.
How Alumni Programs Help You in Finding Local Support
One of the crucial programs our clients find at First Steps Recovery is our alumni program. Alumni programs are extremely beneficial in finding local support as our clients transition from treatment into sober living. Mentors within the alumni program help their peers transition by making themselves available to talk. Alumni events provide our clients with sober social events guided by fellowship.
These peer programs help to create a sense of community in a treatment program. Through these programs, we can continue to receive ongoing support and a platform for maintaining sobriety and personal growth. Most importantly, these programs give us a network of individuals with whom we have something in common.
The Closer the Support, the Better
Finding a support group meeting can be difficult once we are out on our own. Being in a treatment or sober transitional facility is like being wrapped in a cocoon. Once we hatch from the cocoon, the world can seem like a big place. It can be daunting to find the resources we need.
That is where finding local support can pay off. The local support system at First Steps Recovery includes our alumni network. Using our resources, anyone can find strong and reliable resources that enhance the recovery journey.
The Importance of Finding Local Support Near You
As always, it is important that the resources we find support our recovery journey. We have many choices of support groups and social gatherings, but some will be better than others. Finding local support is crucial because that translates into peer support resources. Having local resources also reduces the barriers we may encounter to accessing support services, increases the likelihood of engagement in treatment, and provides ongoing encouragement and accountability.
No matter what, we must remember that we are not on this journey alone. Our treatment team, alumni peers, family, friends, and new friends all have our back. Whether we are trying to find resources, socialization, or local recovery events or activities, our supporters help us on every step of the journey. Together, we cultivate connection and lay the foundation for a lasting recovery.
When you are looking for a treatment center for addiction recovery, there are many factors to consider. You will want the best care available from a trusted team of experts. You may be looking for a facility with beautiful grounds and opportunities for alternative therapies. In all of that, you should not forget to find a treatment program that can give you the local support that you need to succeed. Considering all of these factors, you will not find a better option than First Steps Recovery in Clovis, California. Call us today at (844) 489-0836 and learn how our expert staff can help you overcome addiction and set you on the path to lifelong recovery.
