kathy ireland® Recovery Centers

Self-Help Groups

Self-help groups are used to enhance the effects of traditional one-on-one psychotherapy and are considered a vital recovery resource. You can gain many benefits from attending self-help groups. These environments provide a space where you can feel comfortable expressing yourself and sharing your recovery journey with people who understand what you feel.

Everyone needs support sometimes, and at kathy ireland® Recovery Centers, we encourage you to use all the resources available to continue healing and growing after you complete your rehabilitation program. Self-help groups provide you with peer support and fellowship.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs describes the effectiveness of self-help groups by stating that “although these groups are not a part of professional treatment, they can provide a rich source of support for recovery and complement other treatment modalities. Mutual self-help groups provide a forum and opportunity for individuals in recovery to connect with others who have similar experiences and goals, allowing them to build relationships within a substance-free support network.”

Telehealth, Online Support, and In-Person Groups

Since early 2020, social distancing and other preventative measures have made online support groups and telehealth options incredibly popular. Access to weekly online self-help groups has made it easier than ever to connect with peers and supportive members of your community. Online groups also make attending groups less challenging for individuals struggling with the following:

  • Transportation issues
  • No access to childcare
  • Mobility issues
  • Financial strain
  • Unusual work hours

The following well-known groups and organizations offer online support meetings:

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  • Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
  • Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery
  • In The Rooms – Online Recovery Meetings
Self-Help Groups

Self-Help Groups as a Form of Self-Care

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) encourages you to protect your emotional and physical health by participating in self-care activities. Their site states that “self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness,” which also applies to substance use disorders. Self-care comes in many forms and includes anything that helps you maintain your well-being in a healthy and constructive way. Attending regular weekly self-help groups can increase your sense of self-worth and self-confidence. Support groups are a vital part of your long-term recovery and act as a form of self-care because they do the following:

  • Decrease general stress levels
  • Encourage healthy routines, habits, and behaviors
  • Provide a safe emotional outlet

Self-help groups can help you manage symptoms related to withdrawal, SUDs, and mental health disorders. You will have people to lean on who understand what you are going through and they often have valuable suggestions and advice to increase your comfort and safety.

12-Step Support Groups

12-Step meetings and organizations remain one of the most popular forms of community support available. You can find groups in almost every city and online. We believe in providing access to every possible resource, so our trained clinicians at kathy ireland® Recovery Centers offer 12-Step facilitation (TSF) therapy to introduce the basics of the 12-Step philosophy and make the transition between outpatient or residential treatment to community support straightforward and painless. In TSF, you learn the following:

  • How to use the 12 Steps to solidify your sobriety
  • What to expect at meetings when you complete treatment
  • Benefits of the 12-Step approach to recovery
Group therapy
Self-Help Groups

What to Expect When Attending Self-Help Groups

Every group will have guidelines, rules, and their own approach to peer support. If you have specific questions about expectations regarding a particular group, you can reach out to the host before your first meeting. Most self-help groups are created and led by sober peers, but sometimes one or more trained therapists host them as well. To learn the specifics of a group you are interested in attending, you can reach out to the group leader before the first meeting. You can often find that information online, but your case manager can also connect you with them. You can expect the following when you attend a self-help group:

  • Guided conversations between peers about aspects of recovery and related topics
  • Learning helpful new coping skills and techniques
  • Brief voluntary socializing before or after the main meeting
  • Peer support and mentorship

Aftercare Services and Finding a Self-Help Group

We include relevant self-help groups into the aftercare planning for most clients. Many types of self-help groups exist, and your case manager at kathy ireland® Recovery Centers will help you find out information about the ones that will be most relevant to your continued recovery. Your confidence will continue to grow as you heal and learn new ways to cope with aspects of substance use disorder. Self-help groups are an excellent way to increase self-esteem and self-efficacy. The support you will receive from others in the group can help you from feeling isolated after you leave treatment.

Self-Help Groups

There are a variety of self-help groups.

You can enjoy all the benefits of peer support after you complete your program at one of our kathy ireland® Recovery Centers locations. Find out more by contacting us today: (603) 619-1132.

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