Strength in Unity: Building a Supportive Community for Substance Recovery
By Beth Menges, LCPC, CADC and Danielle DeGrado, PMHNP-BC
September is National Recovery Month, which began in 1989 to promote and support new treatment and recovery practices, the strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Recovery Month aims to increase awareness around all aspects of mental health and addiction recovery.
The role of community engagement and ongoing support is essential to long term recovery. Often, the social networks of those in recovery shrink, which can be isolating at a time when social support is needed most. Choices for support groups that were once limited are now widely diverse and accessible, allowing those in recovery to build nurturing networks instead of feeling alone in their journey. This community-based group work, in combination with open communication between medical (PCP, APN) and behavioral (therapist, psychiatrist) health care providers, helps to provide consistent, well-rounded care and support throughout recovery.
The real impact of community support. No one speaks more eloquently about the supportive nature of community than those in recovery. While family and friends offer great help, having a community of people also in recovery who better understand the process is vital to maintaining sobriety. Group meetings provide a welcoming, judgement-free environment. “I have found great people at all of these meetings and hearing their stories has been just as important as sharing mine,” says one Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital client. “I am extremely grateful that there are so many support meetings available so that I can attend one whenever I feel like I need to, and I will continue going to meetings as a pillar of my recovery journey.”
“Community support meetings have really helped me in my recovery journey,” says another client. “I am able to share my weekly successes and challenges in a very safe and welcoming environment. I look forward to attending every week.” The ongoing connection a regular community group provides creates for continuous connection to others with similar experiences and acts as a strengthening reminder to those in recovery that they are not alone.
Finding community in recovery. Research shows that those who build and turn to social networks are more successful with their recovery. The recovery process is not meant to be a solitary one. Identifying supportive family and friends early that are willing to be ongoing support through the recovery process and regularly nurturing those relationships is important for keeping a support network intact.
Those in recovery should also be encouraged to seek out sober activities, participating in sports like pickle ball or tennis, or volunteering for local organizations, to create a new sense of belonging and support. It is important to make new, sober connections, and doing so helps reduce the feelings associated with the stigma surrounding substance use disorder.
Finally, access to the shared experiences of others in recovery can be helpful in terms of learning about and practicing coping skills. Learning from others is crucial to continuing to develop and strengthen a sobriety skill set that allows patients to stay in recovery.
Community resources that make a difference. At Endeavor Health Behavioral Health, we offer various treatment options specific to substance use disorders including inpatient detox, partial hospital program (PHP), day or evening intensive outpatient programs (IOP), individual counseling, weekly group counseling and medication management. Community support includes a multitude of onsite options to meet a variety of needs, such as Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Refuge and SMART recovery meetings. We also offer Al-Anon and SMART Recovery Family and Friends; support groups for anyone effected by a loved one’s substance use disorder.
Find more resources. Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital has behavioral health professionals available for consult that specialize in treating all forms of substance use disorder. To connect with a certified therapist for a behavioral health assessment, please call the Behavioral Health Help Line 24 hours a day at (630) 305-5027 and one of our professionals will assist in determining if a patient may benefit from treatment at Endeavor Health Behavioral Health.