The Importance of a Support System in Maintaining Sobriety

two young women having a supportive discussion on the couch over coffee

The Importance of a Support System in Maintaining Sobriety

The key to maintaining sobriety once treatment is completed by sticking with a support group. While you’re in treatment, you’ll begin to see the value of a support system. Although your one-on-one sessions with a therapist are very beneficial, it’s important to see that you’re not alone in your struggles with addiction. You’ll meet others who have been through what you’ve been through or have felt the way that you have, which allows you to see that you’re not the only one who has struggled in life. This is very comforting while you’re in treatment, but a support group is just as important for maintaining sobriety after you leave the rehab center.

Maintaining Sobriety by Sticking with the Winners

Once you leave treatment, it’s important to stick with the winners, and it’s something you’ll hear regularly in treatment or at 12-step meetings. As you navigate through maintaining sobriety, you’ll encounter many different types of people. Unfortunately, there are some who haven’t yet reached the point where they’re ready to take the program of recovery seriously. Staying sober is not only about abstinence from drugs or alcohol, but it’s also about changing old behaviors. It’s important to stick with people who are serious about their recovery and genuinely interested in bettering themselves. Hanging around toxic people in any capacity can bring you back down to where you once were.

Building a Viable Support System

Alcoholics Anonymous was the first 12-step fellowship, and many other fellowships followed in its footsteps. There were many years when people couldn’t maintain their sobriety, but Alcoholics Anonymous discovered that people with addiction helping one another was the best way to stay sober. One of the founders of AA, Bill Wilson, found that when he was struggling in sobriety, nothing helped him ensure his sobriety more than being of service to someone else who suffered from addiction. As you continue to work the program of recovery, no matter how much clean time you have, you’ll see that you’ll be able to help others in recovery. This is one of the best ways to increase your support system and stay sober.

You’re Not Alone

Living in active addiction isolates you from friends, family, and others. When you get sober, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it on your own. In fact, most times people are unable to stay sober on their own. Remember that people from 12-step fellowships are typically more than happy to give you their phone number, and all you have to do is ask. Stepping Stone Center for Recovery is here to provide you with a foundation of recovery through our multidisciplinary treatment approach, but you must continue on your journey once you leave. Stepping Stone Center for Recovery provides an aftercare and alumni program to help clients who are maintaining sobriety, but there’s no limit to how big your support group can become. If you’re ready to begin a new life, call Stepping Stone Center for Recovery today at 866-957-4960.