‍

Relationships and social groups are important facets of life. Having strong relationships with people who support you can make life easier during difficult times or simply more enjoyable every day. People strongly impact and are impacted by their friends and family, significant others, and even coworkers. Everyone enjoys spending time around people they have things in common with, whether that be general interests, shared family, or even pets.

Unfortunately, not all relationships are healthy, and for those struggling with addiction, unhealthy relationships can be detrimental to their recovery. If your home life or close relationships are supporting your substance abuse or inhibiting recovery, it may be difficult to see a future where sustained sobriety is possible. People who are in living conditions that are not conducive to recovery benefit greatly from group therapy programs in addiction recovery.

Peer support programs, also known as group therapy programs offered in Atlanta, are support groups where peer support workers meet patients struggling with addiction. The goal of these groups is to develop relationships to help patients stay engaged in recovery and minimize the risk of relapse. Peer support programs are also beneficial to people who have a healthy living environment and relationships but do not have close relationships with others in recovery. Receiving support from a person who has gone through the same struggle as you is extremely effective in the recovery process.

What Does Peer Support Entail?

Peer support workers are individuals who have successfully completed the recovery process and strive to help others with similar struggles, often developing strong, caring relationships with those in the program to offer guidance, build a toolset, and address any patient needs.

These groups can provide patients with new, healthy social circles to aid the recovery process. It is important to note that group therapy programs are meant to be combined with professional counseling and other forms of addiction treatment and are extremely effective in supporting recovery, long-term sobriety, and a healthy lifestyle.

Peer support workers offer advice and guidance by sharing their own experiences and skills learned throughout recovery. In addition to guidance, workers can lead group sessions, provide resources, and advocate for patients.

Benefits of Addiction Support Groups

Addiction support groups provide patients struggling with addiction with a community to lean on and a safe space to share challenges. Some of the benefits peer support can provide are:

• A decrease in substance use
• A lower likelihood of relapse
• First-hand advice
• A healthy social circle
• Accountability
• A sense of belonging

Patients who participate in peer support are more likely to reduce their substance use and maintain sobriety during and after treatment. This reduction can be attributed to patients hearing firsthand experiences of addiction from peer support workers, putting their struggles into perspective. Additionally, having a healthy social circle of others struggling with addiction helps patients feel accountable, as their actions can impact others in the group.

Humans are social animals, and developing strong, healthy relationships allow us to be supported in difficult times. Addiction support groups are a beneficial addition for those attending clinical addiction treatment, especially for patients who do not have the support they need outside of treatment.

Find Peer Support at Samba Recovery

Life is not always easy, especially if you are struggling with addiction. Regardless of the presence of healthy relationships in your life, peer support may be the missing piece in your recovery process.

If you are interested in hearing experiences and advice from people who have had similar struggles to those you are going through or are looking to find a recovery community, look no further. Contact Samba Recovery today at 888.505.8279 or reach out to us online to learn more about our group therapy programs.