support groups

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Support groups play a crucial role in addiction and recovery for several reasons. First and foremost, they provide individuals with a supportive and understanding environment where they can connect with others who are facing similar challenges. This sense of belonging and shared experiences can help reduce feelings of isolation and shame, which are common in addiction. 

Additionally, support groups offer a platform for individuals to learn from each other's experiences and gain valuable insights and perspectives. Hearing different stories of recovery can inspire hope and motivation, and participants can learn new coping strategies and problem-solving skills from their peers. 

At Mahalo Wellness our support groups provide a safe space for individuals to practice and improve their communication and social skills. Through interactions with others, participants can learn how to express themselves effectively, set boundaries, and develop healthier relationships. 

Through honest, confidential discussion, recovery groups allow members to learn from one another’s experiences, vent and explore feelings that might otherwise reach a crisis point, and give and receive feedback on individual situations and challenges. This collective wisdom can provide validation, encouragement, and accountability, which are vital in the recovery process. 

The following are some discussion topics we cover, however, the list is not exhaustive and will always cater to the needs of our clients:

• Triggers. Triggers are environmental, social, or other factors that remind a person of using drugs and put them at risk of relapse. Support groups often discuss ways to avoid triggers or how to deal with them when they arise, as well as specific triggers that each person faces.
• Anger management skills. In group therapy, anger management and finding healthy ways to cope with negative thinking and feelings are common topics.
• Trauma. Many people struggling with drug or alcohol misuse have often experienced trauma.
• Bad habits. Bad habits often leave people struggling with a substance use disorder in a vicious cycle, so identifying these can help them become more aware.
• Mindfulness. Being in the present moment is important in addiction recovery as it helps people manage stress, accept things they can’t change, and feel less overwhelmed.
• Cravings and Healthy Coping Strategies. In group therapy, many people are encouraged to list activities they can do to reduce cravings. This can include healthy behaviors such as fitness goals, physical fitness, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep.
• Gratitude. Discussing gratitude can help encourage positive thinking.
• Isolation Risks. Talking about ways to prevent isolation is essential, as too much alone time can be a trigger for substance use.
• Stress Management. Brainstorming ways to reduce stress and form healthy stress management techniques can help people discover new coping skills and protect their mental health.
• Forgiveness. Forgiveness is a big topic in addiction treatment as practicing it can be difficult, and people often need guidance and advice.
• Conflict Resolution. Discussing conflict resolution can help people gain positive coping skills.  

At Mahalo Wellness, we believe that nothing makes life more meaningful than being surrounded by love, gratitude, and support. Having a community makes tough times manageable, challenges easier to overcome and daily life more enjoyable. Both our physical and mental health majorly benefit from time spent socializing. The support we give to and get from our circle of friends and family has the potential to change everything about our lives.

We are comfortable in most of our social groups because we share things in common. Whether that means relatives who share common blood or friends who share common interests, we engage with people best when we can relate. What happens, then, when we need support for addiction habits?

Individuals struggling with addiction may have family and friends who are committed and supportive of their recovery. Some of them may have even struggled with addiction themselves. But even well-meaning support from loved ones can feel ostracizing or belittling when it comes from people who don’t share in one's struggle.

That’s where peer support for addiction and recovery comes into play. As with any challenge in life, having companions who are going through the same thing can offer encouragement and connection. Peer support in addiction recovery means that as part of treatment, individuals meet in groups with similar struggles to share, listen and discuss. Groups are intentionally nonprofessional and nonclinical.

You may be wondering: if these groups and methods of treatment are nonprofessional and nonclinical, do we know that they work? The answer is yes. There is an increasing amount of data that points to the effectiveness of peer support programs for drug addiction. A meta-analysis of nine studies published by the journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation found that peer support in addiction recovery is an effective component of treatment. 

At Mahalo Wellness, we believe in the power of support and would like to highlight just a few of the many benefits of our peer support groups:       

· Decrease Drug and Alcohol Usage. Studies show that individuals who are committed to a particular program where peer support is offered, show a significant reduction in the amount and frequency of substance usage, or were able to completely maintain sobriety through the program and after. 

· Stick With the Treatment. In addition to a decrease in substance use, peer support also increases the likelihood that a person will participate in a treatment program to completion. Compared to treatment modalities that did not incorporate peer groups, those that included a social component had more people complete the program.

· Learn From a Mentor. Often, peer support includes meeting with a mentor, either someone you chat with one-on-one or someone in a larger group who has achieved long-term sobriety and continues to engage in support groups. Learning from someone who has been in your shoes but is a little further along in his or her journey can instill a genuine sense of hope. Mentors help us to see that someone can overcome addiction.

· Make New Friends. Addiction can be extremely isolating. A peer group not only helps in recovery, but it can also be the beginning of life-long friendships. Often, the people you meet will be vulnerable and sympathetic, having experienced addiction first-hand. These friendships will remain strong because you’ll sincerely want the best for each other. With these strong foundations, you’ll be sure to make new best friends.

· A Sense of Accountability. Community offers a sense of accountability that you won’t get from other forms of treatment. Peer support in addiction recovery is unique because there is social pressure to abstain from substances. This pressure is a positive pressure that stems from a desire to see those you care about make better lives for themselves. It will truly feel like a team effort as you seek sobriety together.

· A Sense of Belonging. So many people are searching for their place in the world while facing addiction. If you’ve ever wondered where you belong and what your role is, you’re likely to find meaning by joining a peer support group. You’ll be inspired as people share their stories, and you’ll often get the chance to share your own.