Having the support of peers is crucial as you go through treatment and recovery from addiction. Those peers understand better than anyone else what you are experiencing. Structured peer support in addiction recovery can be part of your treatment experience when you enroll in a comprehensive treatment program like that at The Arbor. This holistic approach allows a treatment plan tailored to each person’s unique needs, using a variety of therapeutic modalities. Peer support can be paired with traditional talk, behavioral, and experiential therapies.
Call The Arbor at 844.413.2690 for more information on our group therapy program and why peer support is so important.
What Is Peer Support?
Peer support is a form of group therapy made up of others who are going through a treatment and recovery program for an addiction. An addiction counselor will facilitate the sessions, and peer mentors will lead the conversations where all can share and learn from each other. This provides a community where those in recovery can feel a real sense of belonging. Living a sober life can feel isolating for many, without the crutch of drugs or alcohol. Peer support sessions meet on a regular basis—weekly, most typically—so that there is consistency. Discussions can cover anything that is on people’s minds that week. Topics can include things like triggers they are struggling with, any cravings people are having, coping tools and resources, and ways people are effectively avoiding a relapse.
Benefits of Peer Support in Addiction Recovery
There are many benefits of peer support as part of recovery from a substance use disorder. These benefits include the following:
Shared Experiences
- One of the greatest advantages of peer support groups is being among others who know what you are going through. You can benefit from others’ experiences and share your own with the group.
Open Forum
- You can feel most comfortable sharing struggles and experiences among peers who will not judge you but instead encourage you to find a way forward. It’s important to have family and friends who support you, but they cannot relate on the same level that peers can.
Learning from Experience
- When you are struggling, you can lean on others who have shared the same struggle to learn how they overcame it. At the same time, you can share your experiences with others and perhaps be a source of strength and support for them.
Seeing Success in Action
- Sometimes, you can feel alone in your journey to sobriety. When you are down, you can be reminded by peers who have overcome challenges and found their path to recovery.
The relationships you make in peer support groups can be ones you keep for years to come. This kind of sober support group offers advice, mentorship, encouragement, and real-life experience. Peers also help hold you accountable so that you stay motivated and avoid a relapse.
Start the Road to Recovery With Peer Support at The Arbor
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, then it’s time to get help. At a professional treatment center like The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you can receive the treatment and support you need to maintain a life of sobriety. Peer support can be crucial to maintaining a sober lifestyle and avoiding a relapse. Even with the support of family and friends, those going through a similar experience can provide a different level of support and understanding.
Recovery is for life, so arming yourself with the best support resources will make the journey more manageable. Call The Arbor today at 844.413.2690 or reach out online to better understand what treatment and recovery from a substance use disorder looks like.