Importance of a Sober Support Network

sober networking who complete treatment for a substance use disorder with Waypoint Recovery Center have access to a special alumni program offering continuing support. The group meets once a week, free of charge, after completion of the IOP and/or continuing care program. To remain eligible, members must contribute to the discussion, follow group rules, and stay sober. If there comes a time when you are slipping back into your old habits, your sober support network will be able to point out the behaviors. This way, you can be aware of a potential relapse before it happens.

We want each individual in our program to see that he is not alone, that there are others he can relate to, and that sober living can be enjoyable after all. Most of the young men at Turnbridge share common interests, and our goal is to spin these interests into active realities for them. A basic working definition of a sober support network is simply a group of people in your life who are willing and ready to help you recover.

Group Therapy

Too often people coming out of substance abuse treatment programs do not have strong enough support systems in place to help them maintain their sobriety. Returning home from a stint in rehab can be very stressful, as the structure that rehab provides is suddenly no longer available.

You could attend therapy and self-help meetings for a long time, but without the support from a trained professional, all of this won’t really help you overcome your substance use disorder. A psychiatrist or psychologist is a necessary addition to a sober support network. Some facilities like Emerald Isle offer direct counseling services for clients who need that professional support.

Participate in Healthy Communal Activities

Amanda completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Post Masters Certification in Psychiatry at Florida Atlantic University. She is a current member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and the Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society. We aren’t saying that you need to become the perfect model of sobriety before you can begin building your support network. All we are saying is that if you want your support network to truly thrive, then you need to work on embodying certain qualities that will ultimately make your new friendships much stronger. You may not always be perfect at it, but strive to make progress rather than perfection. Certain members of your family and close friends will likely make it into your support network as well .

The more someone gets involved in these types of events, the easier it will become to talk to other people and get to know them. If cost is a factor, look into courses offered through local municipalities. Public libraries and community centers may host courses at little or no cost. For some people, keeping in touch with those they met in rehab would simply be too uncomfortable. It would be a reminder of where they had been, and the memory of that point in their life would simply be too painful.

Relapse Monitoring and Accountability

Volunteering will also enable you to help others, which will leave you feeling empowered. Instead, you should surround yourself with those who genuinely support your sobriety and care for your well-being and recovery journey. Just because you do the right thing does not mean that it will be appreciated in the short term. But if that person comes to realize that you made a truthful observation in an attempt to save them from themselves, then they will come to respect you for it. If, however, you fail to say anything and that person succumbs to relapse without anyone stepping in to try and help them…well, you just may risk losing that member of your support network for good.

Then, you can share your ideas with the people in your support group. There are lots of reasons that it’s important to have a social support network. Once returning to the world of sobriety, it can be overwhelming to try and return to socialization without the help of substance abuse. However, this is necessary in order to destroy any destructive patterns that have emerged as a result of substance abuse. Congratulate someone on their sobriety by expressing your support.