How Does Peer Support in Aftercare Facilitate Healing and Growth?

Humans need healthy social interactions to maintain positive mental health. Peer support in aftercare is an important part of recovery for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). According to Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, “Peer support in substance use recovery assists individuals who seek long-term recovery by establishing supportive and reciprocal relationships that support the initiation and maintenance of recovery.” West Coast Recovery Centers provides clients with various forms of peer and community support. 

The Importance of Peer Support in Aftercare

Individuals in continuing care benefit from peer support. Spending time with others who have shared life experiences builds a sense of belonging. Peer support also reduces the risk of relapse by holding people accountable for their actions. Individuals feel more comfortable reaching out for help when they encounter challenges in aftercare if they have a community of people they trust.

The benefits of peer support during aftercare include: 

• A safe space to express thoughts and feelings 
• Reduced feelings of loneliness and social isolation 
• Helpful advice and suggestions for managing the symptoms and side effects of SUD 
• Positive reinforcement facilitating healthy lifestyle changes
• Improved social skills and communication 
• Access to information about additional support resources 
• A sense of belonging and community

Individuals in aftercare have fewer support services available to help them maintain positive mental health and sobriety. Peer support is an important part of relapse prevention. People manage SUD more effectively if they have peers to help them stay motivated. The healing process often takes time, and people recover more quickly when they have a strong network of individuals at their side providing emotional and practical support.  

Building Healthy Peer Support in Aftercare

Peers can positively or negatively influence people in recovery, depending on the types of relationships people form. Healthy social connections provide a safe place for people to share their concerns and successes. Toxic social connections may interfere with recovery or cause people to backslide into maladaptive behaviors. Healthy peer relationships take time to develop. Individuals in aftercare benefit from finding groups or individuals they share interests with and connect to on a deeper level. The trust people build with one another helps them heal and grow together. 

People develop healthy relationships with peers by doing the following: 

• Approaching interactions with positivity 
• Taking responsibility for words and actions 
• Engaging in shared interests
• Addressing differences of opinion or conflict with calmness and objectivity 
• Being dependable and providing emotional support
• Respecting personal boundaries 
• Actively listening and communicating honestly 

People in early recovery encounter many unexpected situations and emotionally distressing moments. Individuals cope better with stressors if they have people around them to provide encouragement. Peer support ensures clients know where to turn if they encounter problems or experience a crisis. 

Engaging With the Sober Community

Sober communities allow people to practice setting boundaries and other social skills. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), “Social interaction and peer support is a key component of a healthy recovery." In fact, "Personal relationships, even with just one person, improve a person’s outlook and help them to develop a sense of motivation towards healing.” 

Some of the ways people in recovery engage with local sober communities include: 

• Volunteering
• Recovery workshops and events 
• Building a network 
• Understanding peer protection and support 
• Sharing their story publically 

People often feel more comfortable engaging with peers if they start with low-stress activities. Meeting people in self-help groups or through volunteering opportunities can spark a lifelong relationship. 

How Does West Coast Recovery Centers Encourage Peer Support in Aftercare

Aftercare involves finding healthy ways to cope with stressors and other factors impacting a person's mental health. Clients are encouraged to actively participate in peer engagement to ensure they feel comfortable sharing with others during aftercare and ongoing recovery. Individuals spend time with each other in group therapy, between treatment sessions, and during community activities. Clients learn to rely on one another and trust each other's discretion. The sense of belonging can significantly improve people's outlook on life and their relationships with others. 

Sponsors, Mentors, and Other Supportive Relationships

Some people find mentor or sponsor relationships beneficial during the recovery process. Clients are encouraged to use whatever method provides the greatest emotional relief. Positive social interactions can improve many areas of a person's life and help them gain essential skills. According to the Journal on Studies of Alcohol and Drugs, mentorships “shows promise assisting in the reduction of substance use early in treatment when vulnerability and risk for relapse is high and has a positive impact on serious problems undercutting addiction treatment efficacy.” 

West Coast Recovery Centers provides clients with information about local self-help groups to ensure they know where to go for support and healthy personal connections. Mentorships allow people to learn from peers who have been in their position and have created a fulfilling, sober life. 

Peer support is an important part of recovery for many people struggling with addictive behaviors. Often, people feel more motivated to make changes when they engage with others who share similar life experiences. Individuals in treatment spend most of their time engaging in therapy and activities with peers. During continuing care, people also engage with peers in the sober community. Many individuals with substance use disorder rely on peers to guide them through the different stages of recovery, including aftercare. West Coast Recovery Centers encourages clients to make positive social connections and uplift one another during treatment. To learn more about our programs and services, call our office today at (760) 492-6509.