How to Find a Support Group Near You or Build One to Help You on the Road to Recovery

Paths to recovery are as unique as the story of the person struggling with addiction. While no one path will work for everyone, research shows that having a social support group in early recovery can increase your chances of achieving your recovery goals. If you are struggling with addiction, you may find yourself experiencing cravings, having blackouts, or using more than you intend. You may also be facing social, employment, or legal consequences from use. When you’re already struggling, finding the right help that works for you may seem overwhelming. Read on to learn how to find or build a support group to help you reach your sobriety goals.

What are addiction support networks? And why are they important? 

An addiction support network is a person or a group of people you can talk to and confide in to help you meet your recovery goals. A support network can consist of:

• A therapist

• Your friends and family (especially if they don’t drink or use drugs) 

• A self-help group

• Your healthcare providers (a doctor or psychiatrist, for example)

• Any other relationships that help you meet your sobriety goals

Research shows that the more often you attend recovery support meetings in the first 3 months of recovery, the more likely you are to achieve 1 year of sobriety. 

Remember that self-help groups are led by volunteers and are not the same as professional counseling sessions with a licensed mental health provider. Speak with your doctor or seek out a mental health specialist if you:

• Feel suicidal

• Have detox symptoms from physical withdrawal

• Think you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition

• Feel you need more help than a self-help group can provide

Does isolation increase my risk for relapse or return to use?

Studies show that loneliness and isolation are risk factors for addiction and relapse. The coronavirus pandemic has increased our risk of isolation and made it more challenging for people in recovery to stay socially connected. Addiction and substance abuse has surged during the pandemic, and the impacts of isolation can be especially difficult for people in recovery. 

It’s important to remember there are other risk factors to recovery in addition to isolation. A support group is often a part of your treatment plan, and you may need other support that a doctor or therapist can help you identify.

What to look for in a recovery support group

Understanding your recovery goals is an important step in finding a recovery group. Support groups can differ based on what approach they take to recovery. Thinking about the following may help as you consider what type of recovery group works best for you.

Do you have withdrawal symptoms? 

These can be dangerous and should always be checked out by a medical provider. A self-help group cannot help with the physical symptoms of detox.

Are you concerned about anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern? 

If you need help managing mental health concerns, you may need services from a professional recovery group that can address psychological treatment needs while also providing support for your recovery goals. 

Do you want a group that focuses on abstinence? 

Some groups are abstinence-based while others focus on moderation or reducing harmful behaviors. 

Do you want a group that’s drug or alcohol specific? 

Some groups focus on alcohol abuse, while others focus on drug abuse and how these substances can impact your life in different ways.

Do you want a group that incorporates religion or spirituality?

There are groups that are based on a Christian or Buddhist philosophy, while others incorporate spirituality, and still others do not incorporate religion or spirituality at all. 

What about online support groups? Are they as effective as in-person support groups?

Studies show that online, professionally led support groups can be just as or even more effective as in person group therapy. However, more studies are needed to see if this is true for online self-help groups. One drawback of online support groups is that unless you are using software that’s protected by HIPAA, a law that guards your private health information, you can’t be certain that your privacy is protected. Also, while accessibility to telehealth improved dramatically as providers moved to increase access during the COVID-19 pandemic, some people may not feel comfortable using technology or have reliable access to the internet.

Examples of addiction recovery support groups 

Here are descriptions of some popular self-help groups and what to expect at a meeting. 

Alcoholics Anonymous 

Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as AA, is the first 12-step group and was created to help people struggling with alcohol addiction. AA is an abstinence-only program that guides members through the completion of the 12 steps. AA members believe working through the steps with a sponsor will ensure your recovery from alcohol addiction. One of the cornerstones of AA is the belief in a higher power. While all AA meetings follow the 12 steps, you can find groups specifically for certain ages, genders, sexuality, ethnicity, and other variables. 

Narcotics Anonymous 

Narcotics Anonymous, or NA, is a 12-step group that is very similar to AA. NA also believes that with the help of a sponsor, members can recover from addiction by working through the 12 steps. Key differences are in the language used, as NA meetings focus on recovery from drugs and alcohol, while AA focuses on recovery from alcohol only. 

SMART Recovery 

SMART — “Self-Management and Recovery Training” — is based on an approach that incorporates Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) into an abstinence-based substance use recovery model. This approach encourages you to reduce unwanted behavior. Meetings are open to all who are struggling with a behavior they are attempting to change. This can include sex, gambling, or food addictions, as well as drug or alcohol addictions. Attendees do not identify as addicts or alcoholics, and spirituality or religion is not formally addressed.

Celebrate Recovery 

Celebrate Recovery is a self-help group that incorporates Christian values and teachings with the 12-step model used by AA to guide members toward their desired behavior changes. These behaviors can include, among others: 

• Substance use 

• Codependency

• Sex or gambling addiction

• Eating disorders

Approximately two-thirds of its members are in recovery from something other than drug or alcohol addiction. Meetings can be led by pastors or volunteers and often begin with fellowship dinners that include friends and family of participants.

Refuge Recovery 

Refuge Recovery is based on Buddhist principles and the idea that freedom from addiction is possible if you live according to these principles. Group leaders are volunteers who help guide the meeting, and meetings often begin with a 15-minute silent meditation. The concept of non-violence and avoiding harm is explored as a path to maintaining long-term sobriety.

How to build your own addiction recovery support system

Now that you know about the different types of support groups available, you can begin to build your own recovery group that is meaningful to you and supports your goals.

• Decide if you want professional groups, self-help groups, or both: A professional counselor who is an addiction specialist can help refer you to resources available to you.

• Look up groups in your area: Meetings for self-help groups are often listed online. Once you find a few that look interesting, make plans to attend different meetings and try to keep an open mind. 

• Consider telehealth and online support groups: If you’re comfortable with the idea of seeking support through online groups, you may find more options are available to you than you realized.

• Reach out to family and friends: Being honest and clear in describing what type of support you need can help your support system learn how to help you. 

• Stay focused on your goals, but understand that these may change: You may discover that your goals change as you progress through your recovery and your support needs may change as well. 

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Written by:

Cecilia Stonebraker, NCC, LCMHCA, LCAS, CSI

Cecilia Stonebraker, LCAS, LCMHCA, CSI, is a national certified counselor, a licensed clinical addiction specialist, and a couples therapist. She runs a private practice in North Carolina.

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