Benefits of attending a 12-step program during your rehabilitation

When you’re suffering from a substance abuse problem, the last thing you want to ask for is help. Whether help is in the form of a Transition House rehabilitation program or a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, it’s important to have a supportive network. Those first few months of sobriety are crucial.

So what exactly is AA? Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.

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This program and others like it are a wonderful addition to counseling or rehabilitation programs. AA can provide you with the support of those who have gone down similar paths. Researchers have found that individuals facing a substance abuse problem alone, without a support system, have a higher relapse rate than those who did not. Needless to say, if you are serious about your sobriety, you should find a support network. Here are four reasons why a 12-step program, like AA, can benefit your recovery in a rehabilitation program in Orlando.

You have the support of others

Most, if not all, of the people in your support group can relate to your struggle. It’s comforting to know that all members of the group are pursuing the same goal: sobriety. During recovery from an addiction, it’s easy to feel isolated from and misunderstood by friends and family. That isolation can drive you to relapse.

One of the most powerful tools available to you in AA is a sponsor. This person is your support system that you can reach out to day or night when you are feeling the urge to relapse. Addiction is a chronic disease, so checking in with your sponsor even when you’re feeling great is a good idea. Prevention is key.

A higher success rate

It can be difficult to measure the success of AA due to the anonymity of the program, though attempts have certainly been made. According to a study from AA, 33 percent of the 8,000 North American members it surveyed had remained sober for over 10 years. Twelve percent were sober for 5 to 10 years; 24 percent were sober 1 to 5 years; and 31 percent were sober for less than a year.

Support groups are global

No matter where you go, you're almost always able to find an AA meeting. In its early existence, there were only 3,527 groups in approximately 34 countries.Today, AA is practiced in 170 countries all over the world. It helps to know that wherever life may take you, your support system will be there.

No judgment

Hence the name, in Alcoholics Anonymous, you can remain anonymous during meetings. It’s not uncommon for individuals to reveal their identity the longer they are members of AA or the more comfortable they grow with their sponsor. It is entirely up to you, though. The premise of AA is to be open and willing to help anyone who is seeking sobriety. If you don't find this at first, try different meetings until you find one where you feel most comfortable.

If you are looking for substance abuse counseling in Orlando or treatment for substance abuse in Osceola County, contact TTHI Counseling Center. We’re here to help!