Peer support is an essential part of treatment for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). People gain insights and motivation from listening to others with similar life experiences. Building confidence and self-awareness through peer activities often leads to better treatment outcomes. According to Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, “Active engagement in peer support groups has shown to be a key predictor of recovery, and sustaining recovery.” West Coast Recovery Centers empowers clients by providing a safe space for building confidence and healthy social connections. Every treatment program uses peer support to motivate and uplift clients.
The Importance of Building Confidence During Treatment
Clients who feel confident in themselves and the recovery process often have an easier time making essential lifestyle changes to support long-term sobriety. Self-confidence and self-efficacy are critical skills clients learn during treatment. According to Addictive Behaviors, “[N]umerous studies have shown a strong relationship between self-efficacy beliefs (often referred to as abstinence self-efficacy) and drinking/drug-use outcomes, following a variety of treatments.” West Coast Recovery Centers understands the importance of helping clients feel comfortable managing their condition.
Building self-confidence and self-efficacy during treatment does the following:
- Increases resilience
- Reduces the risk of relapse
- Increases client engagement
- Strengthens the client-clinician relationship
Clients who are sure of their ability to cope with SUD and related mental health issues take a more active role in their treatment. Self-confidence helps people trust in the recovery process by making them feel more capable of managing any unexpected changes to their personal lives. Individuals gain confidence as they set and achieve personal and treatment goals during recovery. West Coast Recovery Centers facilitates skill development and personal growth through therapy, peer engagement, and holistic therapies.
Benefits of Building Confidence Through Peer Activities
Peer engagement is one of the most effective ways to build confidence during treatment for SUD. Trusting in others and making positive social connections with peers helps clients overcome internalized stigmas, low self-esteem, and other issues impacting their sense of self. According to the Journal of Drug Issues, “The qualities of an individual’s self-perception have been repeatedly associated with substance use [. . .] For example, college youth with lower self-worth may be more likely to medicate later on in adulthood to blunt negative self-feelings” instead of relying on maladaptive behaviors like substance abuse. Treatment programs provide clients with the skills and resources to increase self-awareness and establish emotional stability.
Some of the benefits of developing self-confidence include:
- Improved social relationships
- Increased motivation
- Reduced stress levels
- Decreased feelings of loneliness
- Fewer self-isolation behaviors
Peer activities are an excellent way to improve self-confidence and resilience. Group therapy, self-help groups, volunteering opportunities, mentor-mentee relationships, and community events allow clients to meet and engage with peers. West Coast Recovery Centers prioritizes creating a welcoming and wholesome environment where staff and peers support clients during challenges in recovery. Peer interactions occur daily during treatment, giving people plenty of chances to practice the skills they learn in therapy.
Building Confidence Through Peer Support
People build confidence in their abilities by trying new things, learning skills, and creating positive peer relationships. A large part of the treatment process involves socializing with others who share similar life experiences. The care team understands the value and power of uplifting one another and showing clients how to manage cravings and other symptoms in everyday situations. Clients are encouraged to empower one another by sharing insights, actively listening, and practicing compassion.
Everyone has a different recovery experience. People decrease their risk of relapse by doing the following:
- Developing healthier relationships with loved ones and peers
- Identifying areas to improve and setting achievable goals
- Establishing healthy boundaries and practicing social skills
- Improving self-awareness, self-efficacy, and resilience through peer activities
Clinicians help clients build confidence by having them work with peers to accomplish attainable goals during group activities or therapy. Succeeding together increases the effectiveness of therapy and other forms of treatment.
Empowering Clients Through Peer Engagement
Peer engagement takes place during and after therapy. Leisure activities like sports and hiking can also be done in groups. Enjoying fun activities together allows people to get to know each other on a deeper level. Clients are encouraged to identify shared interests and engage with each other during treatment.
Connecting with others increases the effectiveness of treatment. According to Frontiers in Psychology, researchers have reported “a significantly positive influence of the feeling of connectedness with people on the treatment of addictive disorders.” Clients react better when they have a relationship with the people around them. Creating positive connections with peers and the care team helps clients feel more in control of their recovery and confident in their ability to overcome challenges.
West Coast Recovery Centers Facilitates Personal Growth
The dedicated experts at West Coast Recovery Centers use compassion, evidence-based treatments, and peer support to help clients build a healthy foundation for a sober future. Spending time with others and developing social skills ensures people in treatment know how to address challenges encountered during long-term recovery.
Peer interactions allow clients to practice setting healthy limits and establishing routines. Often, clients use what they learn in treatment to strengthen relationships with people outside of treatment. Creating positive social engagement reduces overall stress and makes it easier for people to manage SUD and co-occurring disorders.
Self-confidence motivates people who may not feel in control of their recovery. The ability to rely on personal skills and resilience is essential to long-term sobriety. After transitioning out of treatment, people must know they can handle any situation without reverting to maladaptive coping behaviors, including substance abuse. Positive peer support is one of the most effective ways to quickly increase self-confidence and self-awareness. West Coast Recovery Centers uses group therapy, community activities, and peer engagement to help clients develop strong positive connections. Peer relationships empower clients to heal and grow while providing essential emotional support. Learn more about our programs and services by calling our office today at (760) 492-6509.