Change is hard. Becoming sober certainly qualifies. Once you have made it through treatment, you still have to recommit to your recovery every day. That may be more difficult for you on some days than others. You are going to need support. Even if you have friends and family, you may need more. How can you find support after addiction treatment?
Breaking Free Can Break Relationships
Coming out of treatment and realizing that the people you loved were enablers to your addiction is something many do not anticipate. The friends you partied with, the family members who always had alcohol for you, or even a partner who always gave you money, covered for you, or got you out of trouble — those relationships are not healthy for you in recovery. Sometimes breaking free of substances can break up relationships.
Most people find that they have changed so significantly in treatment that they may not even want to be around many of the people in their former lives, especially those who enabled them. The problem is that these were the people who were their support system.
Finding Support in All the Right Places
Being in the right place helps you make the right choices. Obviously, going to your favorite bar will not be the place to find support now that you are sober. You will find the most support through support groups, meetings, keeping in contact with the people you met in your treatment facility, therapy, and sober living houses. Being in the right place matters when you are fresh out of treatment and in real-world recovery.
You can also find support where you do yoga and participate in groups like a book club or religious or church groups that interest you. Some groups like this are also sober support groups as well. Making sure that you find healthy places for you to be away from your past triggers or potential relapses will ensure that you surround yourself with supportive people. The people you find in the right places can be a part of your recovery support network.
Finding Support Amongst Peers
The people who will understand you most will be your peers in recovery. You may have a sponsor, friends from treatment, or meet people through online or in-person group meetings. You may be surprised at how many people in your life are also in recovery that maybe you did not realize before. This group could be friends, neighbors, or coworkers who are also in recovery. Your support network should include people in recovery when you need someone who has been in your shoes.
When you find support amongst peers, the support can be wonderfully mutual. Everyone needs a person they can call at 2 a.m. when they are experiencing a craving or are overwhelmed emotionally. You can also be that person for them. Supporting and being supported will help you to keep your recovery on track.
Your Sober Family Is the Family You Choose
Perhaps you already have friends that are more like family to you. If you don’t have a family, though your family members are not supportive of your recovery, your support network becomes your family. These are the people you have chosen to support you, the family you get to choose.
Your sober family will be there for you in the good times and the bad times. They will help you celebrate every day of sobriety, and they will be there on the days you struggle to stay sober, too. Your sober family is the heart of your support network, but they are also people who love you like family—people you also love like family.
The Importance of Accessing Aftercare in Recovery
Aftercare is also an essential part of your recovery and your support system. Many facilities offer aftercare, support groups, or alumni groups to access continued care from clinicians and other professionals in the recovery community. You will also likely want to find an individual therapist and perhaps a marriage or family therapist if you are working to maintain those relationships.
For any co-occurring conditions such as a mental health diagnosis, you will need to find a psychiatrist to work with for medication management. Depending on your needs, you may need additional support from a nutritionist, a therapist, or even a medical doctor if you have struggled with disordered eating or an eating disorder.
You will no doubt need support after treatment, but in most cases, it will not be located in a facility that you live at. You will need to build your personal support network and access care yourself. You will need to be your own advocate and ask for the help you need to maintain your recovery.
How can you find support after addiction treatment? To build your support network, you will need to find your sober family and access the support groups, friends, and services you need. When you are in the right places, others will be able to help you find support, and you can also offer support to others. The Ho Tai Way – Recovery For Women provides aftercare for those who complete their treatment program. We are a residential facility located in sunny Southern California. Our programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of women with addiction and co-occurring mental health diagnoses. We also offer support through trauma-informed 12-Step meetings and She Recovers meetings, allowing women to empower other women in recovery. Our facility is a place of peace, serenity, and healing, a refuge from the world and from addiction. Please call us today at (714) 581-3974 to begin your recovery journey.
