How Do Support Groups Work?

Overcoming addiction is difficult, but it's possible with treatment, continued support, and care from friends and loved ones. Support groups are a vital aspect of recovery, so learn how they work to help you overcome drugs and alcohol.

Addiction is a severe disease that affects everyone around you. Recovery is a long and challenging road, but it's entirely possible through the proper care and the help of support groups.

An addiction support group is a place you can go to discuss feelings, cravings, and frustrations with others going through the recovery process. It's a safe space to talk about the highs and lows of recovery.

At the Victory Treatment Program in Knoxville, Tennessee, we provide support groups as well as outpatient detox and medication-assisted treatment to help you overcome addiction.

Stacey Maltman, FNP-BC, is our addiction specialist who's there through every stage of your recovery, offering monthly support groups as an added part of the recovery process.

What is a support group?

Support groups are places where individuals gather to provide a safe space to discuss feelings and emotions. It allows people to share experiences and offer encouragement to others going through similar circumstances.

There are support groups for just about every life challenge, including addiction and recovery. Alcohol and drug addiction support groups are a critical aspect of the recovery process.

You can attend a support group periodically to maintain your sobriety, or every day if that's necessary to overcome cravings and get the guidance and help you need.

A support group offers numerous benefits to individuals navigating a challenging time, including emotional support, empathy from others who have experienced similar struggles, and coping strategies that help them navigate their difficulties.

Support groups for alcohol addiction

There are specific support groups for people battling alcohol addiction. These groups meet to discuss the challenges of alcohol addiction and provide support and inspiration for others in various stages of recovery.

The goal of an alcohol addiction support group is to give individuals the peer support they need to stay sober during the most trying times of recovery. These groups provide coping strategies, empathy, and educational resources to give you the best chance at succeeding.

They also provide you with milestone coins for days, weeks, and years sober. These help people see that they've made progress in the recovery process and help them aim for another goal.

Opioid addiction support groups

Opioid addiction support groups are specific to people trying to overcome opioid or narcotic addictions. These support groups meet periodically to provide peer support and coping strategies specific to drug abuse.

Narcotics support groups work similarly to alcohol support groups, but are specific to drug triggers and cravings. They often involve people at various stages of the recovery process who share their stories, successes, and failures to help others navigate the cycle.

People in narcotic support groups have a safe and anonymous space to share how they're feeling through every stage of the recovery process. These groups give people a strong support system to help them through every up and down of addiction recovery.

At each meeting, you can share your personal story, how you're feeling, and the challenges you've faced along the way. Others share their stories as well, allowing you to see that others are going through the same thing and have emerged victorious.

How often should I attend a support group?

You can attend a support group as often as you'd like, as many different groups meet almost daily. We offer a monthly support group for you and your family to attend, providing a valuable resource to help you succeed.

Support groups aren't just for the beginning of recovery; you can attend them even years after you've conquered addiction. They help you stay on course and share your progress throughout the recovery process.

We encourage you to attend as many support groups as you'd like to, because they're an invaluable resource during the best and worst times of addiction recovery.

Contact the Victory Treatment Program today to discuss our support group services, or visit our website to learn more.