Supportive Communities in Recovery

Social support provides essential motivation, accountability, and encouragement for individuals recovering from substance use disorder (SUD). According to Substance Use and Misuse, “Research has repeatedly found that those with stronger social support networks remain in treatment longer, and have better recovery outcomes with a decreased likelihood of return to use.” People in recovery benefit from being part of a thriving sober community. West Coast Recovery Centers connects clients with supportive communities where they feel welcomed and uplifted during treatment and continuing care. 

What Are Supportive Communities?

Supportive communities are groups of individuals who support and empower one another to meet specific goals or overcome challenges. Sober communities focus on helping people maintain sobriety and live healthier lives while enjoying social companionship. Clients in treatment often have access to multiple supportive communities, including a care team and peer groups.  

Some of the primary benefits of supportive communities include: 

• Increased accountability 
• Emotional and practical support 
• Understanding and acceptance from people with similar life experiences 
• A safe environment with reduced exposure to stigmas 
• Ongoing encouragement, motivation, and inspiration
• A helpful resource for finding information about local services 
• Skill development and a space for practicing techniques learned in treatment
• Positive, profound, and lifelong relationships 

Communities allow people to learn, grow, and heal together through mutual support. Many people find it easier to manage their condition and overcome challenges in recovery if they have a group of people who care about them and offer compassionate support. According to Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, during recovery from SUD, “[A] person’s perception and source of social support is particularly important.” West Coast Recovery Centers provides clients with the tools and skill development necessary to make meaningful connections with peers in the sober community. 

How Does Community Support Reduce the Risk of Relapse?

Relapse prevention education and strategies are critical for long-term recovery from substance abuse. West Coast Recovery Centers offers relapse prevention services and aftercare planning to ensure clients feel confident about their ability to maintain sobriety. A strong community can also help people stay motivated and accountable for their actions as they navigate early recovery. 

Community support reduces the risk of relapse by doing the following: 

• Helping people develop and practice essential coping skills 
• Providing crisis intervention and prevention 
• Offering healthy social activities to fill time previously spent abusing alcohol or drugs 
• Combatting stigmas surrounding substance abuse and addiction recovery 
• Providing people in recovery with positive role models 
• Allowing people to make connections with others who share similar experiences 

Communities offer people structure and a place to go for comfort or to celebrate successes. 

How Do Supportive Communities Improve Recovery?

Supportive communities provide consistency and motivation for people to continue making healthy life choices. Some of the primary benefits of being part of a community include: 

• A sense of belonging and fewer self-isolating behaviors 
• Access to constructive feedback and helpful insights 
• Shared resources and information 
• Reduced stress, anxiety, depression, or other side effects of SUD
• Support creating effective relapse prevention strategies 
• Access to healthy relationships 
• Practice establishing and maintaining social boundaries

Everyone has different needs depending on their stage of recovery, support system, and other factors. Community groups allow people to build off the essential skills taught in treatment. 

Examples of Supportive Sober Communities

Many groups are available to provide a community where peers come together to heal and learn from one another. Some of the communities people join during recovery include: 

• Sober hobby groups 
• Mutual support networks 
• Self-help groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 
• Religious or spiritual groups

Communities support physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Supportive communities are vital for young adults recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. According to Pediatrics, “[G]iven their developmental needs, young adults affected by SUD should have access to a wide variety of recovery support services regardless of the levels of care they need.” West Coast Recovery Centers ensures clients 18 years and older have information about local communities they can use to maintain their recovery. 

Supportive Communities in Every Stage of Recovery

Individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder or dual diagnoses may experience a feeling of alienation. Self-imposed isolation is common among individuals going through recovery. In addition, stigmas may cause some people to feel uncertain about building connections with others or joining local community groups. According to American Psychologist, “[S]tigma leads to the development of substance use disorders (SUDs), undermines SUD treatment efforts, and drives persistent disparities within these crises.” Supportive communities reduce stigmas surrounding substance abuse and recovery. West Coast Recovery Centers educates clients and their families on the importance of social engagement to ensure clients have the resources they need to feel supported. 

Alumni Support and Community Events

West Coast Recovery Centers offers alumni support and community events for clients and their families during treatment and aftercare. Clients always have the opportunity to return for support, resources, and information. Access to continued support from the care team helps individuals achieve and maintain abstinence.

Individuals need social, emotional, spiritual, and practical support to continue making progress in recovery. Treatment programs provide clients with a safe space to explore various aspects of recovery with others who share similar life experiences. Most clients in rehabilitation programs previously spent time with individuals and social groups that enabled their substance abuse. After entering treatment, those relationships must be replaced with positive social connections to reduce the risk of relapse. West Coast Recovery Centers has created a thriving community of individuals in recovery and ensures all clients have the support they need to heal and grow. To learn more about our programs and services, contact our office today at (760) 492-6509.