You’ve likely heard of group meetings as a common method for substance use recovery. This tried-and-true approach often complements other forms of treatment. But peer support is particularly helpful because it gives those in recovery a supportive, empowering, and even creative space.
Support groups allow those in recovery to experience empathy from others. They also gain the opportunity to verbalize their struggles and process complex feelings. The decentralized, non-judgmental group environment makes that much easier than most clinical settings.
Peer support, also known as group recovery support, is a versatile and powerful outlet for those seeking sobriety. Here’s why.
Peer Support Replenishes Social Bonds
Many people who experience substance use issues become disconnected from their social outlets. They may isolate themselves from friends and family or struggle to form new relationships. Sometimes, those friends and family may pull away due to the substance use. People struggling with substance use might also bounce between jobs or become unable to work, so they don’t have the chance to bond with colleagues.
And even with a good support network, it can be hard to connect with those who don’t share the challenges of recovery. Many people find it helpful to bond with new friends who can truly empathize with their experience.
Thus, peer support groups are much more than a place to swap stories. They become truly safe spaces where people can help facilitate each other’s recovery. That’s why support groups are also called “mutual help.”
Support Groups Allow People To Tell Their Stories
While medication-assisted treatment and psychiatric counseling can be crucial to one’s recovery, a new body of research reveals the immense healing power of storytelling.
Sometimes, people who struggle with substance use are feeling powerless. Seeking treatment can feel like they’re further relinquishing power, especially when doctors give them a complex recovery regimen.
But in peer support groups, one can reclaim their power by telling their story. They can share their worries, triumphs, and goals without fear of judgment. Even the simple act of verbalizing their struggles can give form to their feelings and an impetus for their goals. Storytelling helps them reflect on their struggles and regain control of their recovery journey.
Peer Support Reduces Self-Stigma
While public awareness campaigns have come a long way in destigmatizing substance use, they haven’t always reached the people who need them most: those who struggle with substance use issues. Feelings of shame may discourage people from seeking help. Even when they do, the recovery process can unleash self-judgment, especially as outsiders (doctors, concerned loved ones) begin asking questions.
A safe, non-judgmental group space allows people to express empathy for each other. Participants feel less alone or “abnormal” in their struggles, and they begin to see others as potential allies rather than judgmental onlookers. One study found that hearing others’ recovery stories helped reduce participants’ feelings of shame.
Substance use treatment can sometimes feel like being in a fishbowl, being watched by outsiders who haven’t experienced the same challenges. That makes it difficult to un-learn the stigma and focus on one’s recovery goals.
Peer support is a place where people in recovery can reclaim their power and connect with fellow insiders — those who can truly empathize with and encourage each other’s journey toward sobriety.
Beacon Point Connects People Seeking Recovery
Peer support is an exceptional form of mutual help, one in which people can process their challenges and form healing bonds with others who experience substance use issues. This sort of equitable, empathetic connection can be uniquely therapeutic, even where MAT or other interventions are not appropriate. As social creatures with an ancestral urge to tell our stories, people benefit immensely from group support — especially when substance use has disrupted their lives.
The first of its kind in Florida, Beacon Point connects multiple recovery providers on a single campus. Participants can embark on their recovery journey however best suits them. The Beacon Point campus hosts peer support groups along with MAT and other health services. Learn more or seek help by calling 352-565-5700.