Finding Support Groups After Rehab
If you have recently left inpatient treatment, you need to ensure that you are focused on maintaining your sobriety. Getting sober was only half of the battle. The other half is remaining sober. That is where support groups can come in handy.
It is critical to focus on group therapy and rehab aftercare because this will help you hone the skills you developed during inpatient therapy. At the same time, there are lots of options when it comes to a support group. How can you find the right support group to meet your needs? Is a 12-step therapy program the right choice for you? There are a few important points that you should keep in mind.
Consider Starting with Referrals from Treatment Professionals
If you are looking for a support group, one of the top places to start involves referrals from treatment professionals. When you are getting ready to leave inpatient therapy, there is a good chance that a mental health professional from the facility will provide you with a referral to a support group.
These referrals may come from:
- A psychiatrist
- A psychologist
- A counselor
- A social worker
Make sure that you take the time to review all of your group therapy options. Take a look at the individual support choices that you have been given. Then, try to find out more about the options. You may want to call them and see what they’re like. You may want to talk to other people at the facility and see if they have experience with those specific rehab aftercare program. This will help you develop a plan for your outpatient recovery.
Try Out a Single Session at Each Support Group
Next, it is important to give each support group a chance. Try to attend one group therapy session with each of the support groups that are on your list. Everyone is going to be very welcoming at these meetings because they know they are in it together.
The goal is to find a support group that works best for you. The best way to figure out which support group will work best for you is to attend a variety of sessions. You will then figure out what they are like and decide if they are appropriate for your recovery goal.
Find Someone to Hold You Accountable
In many situations, the biggest barrier to attending a support group on a regular basis is accountability. Therefore, try to find someone who can hold you accountable. For example, when you are trying out these individual groups for the first time, you may want to consider going to sessions with someone else.
That way, if you feel like you are simply having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, you have someone to encourage you, push you, and force you to go. You know that you need to regularly go to these support group therapy sessions as part of your rehab aftercare. As long as you have someone else to hold you accountable, you are attendance percentage will remain high. Then, you can reduce your chances of suffering a relapse.
Find the Right Support Group Program with the Help of Alina Lodge Professionals
If you are trying to remain sober after leaving inpatient care, then you are not alone. There are lots of people who are in the same situation. If you would like help finding the right support group, then we are here to help you.
We are Alina Lodge, and we specialize in a wide variety of mental health conditions. Contact us today at 833.685.1700 to find out more about how our treatment professionals can help you or your loved one protect your sobriety for the long-term.