President Jimmy Carter famously said, “We are a community. Our individual fates are linked; our futures intertwined; and if we act in that knowledge and in that spirit together, as the Bible says: ‘We can move mountains.’” This is especially true when it comes to the importance of community at various stages of recovery. We do not do this alone. In recovery, together we succeed.
Detox, Sober Living, Outpatient: The Way Community Can Look At Various Stages of Recovery
Many people don’t realize that the importance of community often begins before we even decide that we are going to get sober. This is because the loved ones around us are often working diligently to get us the help that we so desperately need. We just don’t see it because we are stuck in our active addiction.
This is also why it is so important to remember that our addiction affects far more people than ourselves. This is why addiction is often referred to as a “family disease.” Everyone can become disrupted and disturbed. Addiction is like a tornado that affects everyone and everything in its path. However, once we decide that we are going to get sober, our community can begin to grow.
This growth happens at various stages of recovery. The community may begin with recovery professionals during the detox process. Then it may start to include recovery peers that we meet and work with while in treatment. Finally, it will include the people who will help us on our journey toward long-term recovery. These are often bonds that last a lifetime.
Various Stages of Recovery: The Detox Process
Many people don’t realize just how important the detox process actually is. It is important to get to a stable mental and physical place in order to move on to the next stages of recovery. Also, not detoxing properly can be dangerous (with substances like alcohol, it can even be deadly).
A healthy detox is also where we begin to build bonds with the addiction specialists, therapists, and medical professionals who are going to help us get and stay sober. These are the people who are going to determine the right plan of recovery action. For example, after detox, is residential treatment appropriate, or is it safe to do an outpatient program? Also, what are the modalities that may help on the journey toward success? One of these modalities may be group therapy, which is also where a recovery community can continue to grow.
Various Stages of Recovery: Early Recovery
Early recovery can be a very raw time. It is also a very vulnerable time. This is why being around other healthy people in recovery can be so important. Working with these people in group therapy can be extremely helpful.
So, why does group therapy work so well? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “The natural propensity of human beings to congregate makes group therapy a powerful therapeutic tool for treating substance abuse, one that is as helpful as individual therapy, and sometimes more successful. One reason for this efficacy is that groups intrinsically have many rewarding benefits, such as reducing isolation and enabling members to witness the recovery of others, and these qualities draw clients into a culture of recovery. Another reason groups work so well is that they are especially suitable for treating problems that commonly accompany substance abuse, such as depression, isolation, and shame.”
Group therapy also helps individuals prepare for working with others throughout the rest of their recovery. After all, it is working with others that ultimately helps us to succeed. One way to maintain these connections is to connect with an aftercare program, as well as a 12-Step recovery program.
Various Stages of Recovery: Aftercare
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success, which is why we also include aftercare in all of our recovery plans. Aftercare ensures that you know the next steps to take after completing treatment. It also helps you to stay in contact with your recovery peers from treatment.
A big part of aftercare is also connecting with an outside recovery community. Some of the most popular are 12-Step recovery communities. At these meetings, people connect and share recovery stories and hope. It is also where more intimate bonds are made, such as those between a sponsor and a sponsee. It has also been shown that working with others greatly reduces the chances of a potential relapse. Remember, it is a “We” program, never a “Me” program.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Our primary purpose at Lantana Recovery is to help our clients succeed by any means necessary. We know that part of that success includes connecting our clients to health recovery communities.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, the time for recovery is now. You can do this! We can help.
It is important to understand what the recovery community looks like at various stages of the process. This can help you better understand what to expect as you go through the process of recovery. This includes the detox process, early recovery, post-treatment center, and long-term recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the treatment process and the importance of a recovery community, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
