One of the most important things that you will learn in a Florida drug rehab is that the power of addiction is too strong to be broken in isolation. Substance abuse treatment works because you participate in a group effort whose goal is to change destructive behaviors. But what happens when you walk out the door of that rehab? Building a strong support system after your stay can help ensure that you will continue on the road to recovery and live a happy drug-free life.
What Is a Support System?
A support system is a group of people or services that you can rely on to help you stay clean and sober. Your support system may consist of friends, family members, co-workers, and people that you meet in 12-step recovery groups.
While it may seem as if assembling this support group is a selfish endeavor, the relationships that you build become a two-way street. As you rely on others for support and encouragement, they depend on you as well. Family members and close friends find that they have the person they know and love back in their life. If you develop relationships with others in recovery, you will share a common bond and take part in each other’s triumphs in addition to the struggles.
Why You Cannot Do It Alone
Few people like to be completely dependent on others, and that is not the purpose of a support group. Rather, SAMSHA defines “recovery” as the process of change through which an individual strives to reach their full potential with improvements in health and wellness. This is difficult to achieve without help.
It is a fact that those who try to stay clean and sober on their own with no mutual support systems in place are more likely to relapse than those who make the effort to reach out and join a 12-step fellowship. Not only will a support group hold you accountable for your behavior, but they will also be there to give you a different perspective on life’s events and to listen if you need to vent.
How to Build Your Support System
There is no best way to build an addiction recovery support system, but it is essential that you take steps to do this as soon as possible after leaving a Florida drug rehab. You can ask your spouse or partner, other family members, close friends, and members of your support group to help you on your recovery journey. Aim to have at least five people in your close-knit support group starting out, so you have the best chance of finding an understanding ear when you need one.
Some of the things that you want to look for in a person providing support include:
- Someone who is not abusing drugs or alcohol
- A person who is reliable
- Someone who says he or she is available and willing to talk
- Someone to whom you can offer similar support
The best way to make new friends in recovery is by participating in sober activities. This might include going to meetings, but you can also attend other events such as dinners, conferences, and recreational activities. You might also consider taking a course or volunteering so that you can meet others who are living life without being weighed down by alcohol and drug addiction.
Overcoming addiction may be a challenge, but the life that lies in front of you with the right support is second to none. Contact us now learn more about admissions and find out how we can help you gain freedom from the bonds of addiction.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.