A strong support system is an important resource during recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). Introverts may find creating deep and meaningful relationships with peers and their care team more challenging. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “[I]ntroverts can have good social skills, but they may still withdraw from the social activities due to their low social willingness.” West Coast Recovery Centers helps introverts develop a strong support network through skill development and confidence-building exercises.
What Is a Support Network?
A support network is a system of individuals offering practical support and acting in the person’s best interest. Most people consider their close friends and family part of their support network. Social support is essential to overall health and wellness. According to Psychiatry, “[P]ositive social support of high quality can enhance resilience to stress, help protect against developing trauma-related psychopathology, decrease the functional consequences of trauma-induced disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and reduce medical morbidity and mortality.”
A support network is a group of individuals who a person trusts to do the following:
- Provide nonjudgmental emotional support
- Hold them accountable for their behaviors
- Offer guidance and encouragement
- Provide practical support
- Celebrate successes and important milestones
- Provide honest feedback
- Help overcome challenges and navigate recovery
A strong support network does not have to include a large group of people. Some individuals have meaningful social connections with a small handful of loved ones and peers. Clinicians at West Coast Recovery Centers guide clients through the process of establishing and maintaining a healthy support system.
Who Makes up a Support System?
Everyone has different needs during recovery from substance abuse. In addition, people’s relationships may change after they enter treatment. The care team ensures clients have the tools to identify or create a group of supportive individuals. Group therapy and support groups provide people with an excellent opportunity to build social connections with people who share similar life experiences and goals.
A support system may consist of the following:
- Healthcare professionals
- Friends
- Family members
- Roommates
- Coworkers
Anyone who supports individuals in recovery can become part of their support network. Often, people rely heavily on social support during treatment and continuing care. Having a support network in place reduces an individual’s risk of relapse.
Benefits of a Support Network
People with a support network often feel more confident in their abilities and are willing to trust others to help them overcome challenges. Trusting others during crisis moments facilitates healing and personal growth. Introverts may need longer to build that level of trust with the people around them.
Some of the benefits of a support network include:
- Reduced stress
- More accountability
- Increased positivity
Introverts may feel more confident about managing their condition independently if they have people who uplift, encourage, and support them.
How to Build a Support Network at West Coast Recovery Centers
Establishing a support network is easier during treatment, where a care team guides clients through the process. Introverts may start by creating small connections with peers in group therapy or support groups and build on them. Clients at West Coast Recovery Centers create healthy relationships throughout the course of treatment, expanding their support network to include individuals who have a better understanding and acceptance of their condition.
People in treatment build a support network by doing the following:
- Spending time with others as a group or one-on-one
- Getting to know others by engaging in conversations
- Setting clear boundaries and expressing a desire to connect on a deeper level
- Offering emotional support to others to create a mutually beneficial relationship
Introverts may find it difficult to start discussions or provide support on their own. Using group therapy and self-help groups as a starting point can help people learn to open up and feel more comfortable engaging with others on a very human level. Building up relationships over time ensures clients at West Coast Recovery Centers have support networks in place to help them navigate continuing care and long-term recovery.
How Introverts Engage With Others in a Meaningful Way
Introverts may have only a small number of high-quality relationships or individuals they feel comfortable reaching out to for support. Engaging with others in a meaningful way does not have to mean making dozens of trusted friends. Instead, it can mean deepening or repairing relationships with loved ones, becoming better acquainted with peers, and finding ways to feel more comfortable opening up with clinicians or other care team members.
Improving current relationships may help some introverts feel more confident creating new social connections. West Coast Recovery Centers encourages all clients to use treatment programs to develop better communication and social skills, making it easier for clients to create a strong support system to help them move forward in their recovery.
Social support is integral to positive mental health. Individuals recovering from substance abuse benefit from having people available to provide emotional and practical support. However, introverts may have a more challenging time engaging with peers due to shyness or fewer social skills. Treatment programs provide people with access to peer support, community engagement, and skills development. Clients learn to set boundaries, build confidence, and communicate effectively. West Coast Recovery Centers provides personalized programs to ensure introverts have the necessary tools to build a solid support system. A support network motivates people to maintain long-term sobriety and positive mental health. To learn more about our programs and services, call our office today at (760) 492-6509.