Why should I attend support meetings?

When a person decides to become sober, the changes can feel overwhelming. Human beings crave connection, which allows us the opportunity to grow mentally and emotionally. Countless studies have shown the benefits of support. Even with evidence that they are helpful, people still often resist attending. So, why should you attend support meetings in recovery? See below for some common reasons:

So You Don’t Feel Alone

Isolation and addiction tend to be correlated. Often, isolation can make us feel as if no one understands us and what we have been through. Studies have shown that the more isolated a person feels, the easier it is for them to succumb to their addiction. It makes sense! The less connected we are, the greater potential for us to fall into unhealthy behaviors.

To Help You Understand Yourself Better

Support meetings allow you the opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Meetings allow you the chance to see that you are not alone in your thoughts, feelings or even experiences. You may be able to increase your understanding of yourself and how you operate as an individual.

To Express Your Feelings

A lack of ability to express yourself can lead to increased feelings of isolation and frustration. This can lead to bottling up your emotions and thoughts about your experiences, which can lead to unhealthy physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.Support meetings allow you a chance to open up in a safe and secure environment. There is no pressure for you to share if you are not ready. Oftentimes, you may find relief in just hearing others share their feelings and experiences.

To Gain New Information About Recovery

Learning what you need to know in order to make necessary changes in recovery can sometimes feel overwhelming. Support meetings allow you the chance to connect with others who can point you in the right direction. They may also assist in helping you to create your own personal recovery plan. From personal stories to group insights – you may find information that can strengthen your own knowledge and perspective.

To Increase Hope

Positive role models allow you to connect to hope within yourself. Meeting others who are walking on the same path can lift your spirits and enhance your outlook. Many individuals who attend support meetings believe in “paying it forward”. They wish to provide help to those who need it. They understand how hard early recovery can be, and remember when they were just starting off as well. Being around others can enhance our hope and our compassion.

Not Your Grandparent’s Support Meetings

Support meetings have evolved over the past few decades. Scientific studies have helped create support groups that are meaningful and attractive to people from all backgrounds. As the stigma of addiction and recovery is slowly easing up in our society, more and more community members are willing to give back and help guide those in early recovery through their own journey. Where there was once a limited selection of groups to choose from, people now have a range of meetings to choose from including solution-focused Centered Support Meetings, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, SOS, and LifeRing, among others.

Centered Recovery Cares About You During Quarantine

Centered Recovery Programs wants to ensure you have access to virtual support meetings during the quarantine. Visit the links below for information on the currently known virtual support groups that you can access! Centered Recovery offers a 12 step alternative group called Centered Support, which is solution focused and closely aligns with the program offered at Centered Recovery. Our meetings are led by a professional facilitator with years of experience in the recovery field.

Centered Support Meetings are being held online during quarantine.