According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40.3 million people (14.5%) in the United States have a substance use disorder (SUD). In addition, as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes, 59.3 million (23.1%) U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Further, as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states, approximately 21.5 million adults in the U.S. have a co-occurring disorder. The prevalence of SUD, other mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders highlights the complexities of recovery and the need for continuing care. With continuing care in recovery, you can utilize resources like self-help groups to address various challenges in recovery.
At Driftwood Recovery, we know fostering a connection with a community of peers in recovery is invaluable to recovery. Through the forging of deep connections with others, you can gain greater self-awareness and self-understanding. With greater self-awareness and self-understanding, you can build a strong base of connection with both the self and others to sustain recovery. The power of connection reminds you that you belong, are loved, and are deserving of healing. Thus, the power of connection with others makes self-help groups crucial to the healing process.
Yet, you may question how you can build connections with self-help groups. Often challenges with SUD and/or other mental health disorders work to disconnect you from others. SUD and mental health challenges isolate you and convince you that no one understands you or your experiences. However, self-help groups can help you recognize that you are not alone in your challenges or recovery. By increasing your knowledge of self-help groups, you can better understand their value for your well-being.
What Are Self-Help Groups?
As noted in “Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines” by C. Khasnabis et al., self-help groups are informal groups of people who work together to address common challenges. At the core of self-help groups is the idea of mutual support in which the group members help each other. Further, as the American Psychological Association (APA) states, self-help groups meet regularly to help each other cope with various life problems. As a result, typically there is no fee or limit to the number of group members, and it is led by members rather than health professionals. Through self-help groups, you can find emotional support and practical help to share experiences, coping strategies, and resources.
Yet, you may question why you would join a self-help group. Aren’t self-help groups and group therapy the same if they both offer things like experiential support? Why choose a self-help group when you can get professional support in group therapy? Group therapy can be invaluable to your recovery. However, understanding the difference between self-help and group therapy can provide insight into the value of self-help groups post-treatment.
Differences Between Self-Help and Group Therapy
According to “Understanding Group Therapy and Support Groups” by Marla Deibler, group therapy and self-help groups can play a significant role in your long-term well-being. Self-help groups and group therapy share many similarities and are often used in conjunction. While you can benefit from self-help groups and group therapy in your recovery, there are some key differences to note:
- Self-help groups
- Affordable
- Unlimited group size
- More informal
- May or may not have a set curriculum
- Topics vary based on current challenges
- Process-oriented
- Most often led by peers
- You can attend meetings for as long as needed
- Supports the transition from treatment to recovery
- Bridges gaps in support
- Group therapy
- A greater expense but often covered by insurance
- Small group
- More formal
- Follows a curriculum
- Tailored to address specific issues
- May include homework
- Focused goals
- Guidance from clinicians
- Often supports well-being in treatment
At the end of the day, the goal of continuing care services is to help you find the right resources for you.
Finding Your Group: Types of Self-Help Groups
Much like your experiences, there are a variety of self-help groups that are unique in the needs they support. Some of the different self-help groups types include:
- 12-Step
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA)
- Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery)
- Online support groups
- Condition-specific support groups
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Educational support groups
- Family support groups
Many different types of self-help groups can overlap with each other, like educational and family support groups. Thus, there is a support group that can meet your specific needs, from meeting in person or online, using a formal or informal structure, to serving specific communities. Access to different types of self-help groups can have a profound impact on your well-being.
Benefits of Self-Help Groups
Through education, shared experiences, and peer support, you can address challenges that impact every facet of your life. Self-help groups have become known for the value they bring to psychological wellness, sobriety, and vulnerable communities. Listed below are some additional benefits of support groups:
- Self-esteem
- Motivation
- Self-regulation
- Adaptive coping skills
- Self-efficacy
- Reduce stigma
- Sense of belonging
Further, self-help groups are cost-effective, which can help close the gap in support for individuals and communities that experience greater socioeconomic barriers.
Building Community Through Shared Experiences at Driftwood Recovery
Self-help groups’ ability to address and close gaps in socioeconomic barriers speaks to its power as a tool for change and growth throughout recovery. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a strong alumni program, where you can find connection, meet challenges head-on, and thrive at every stage of recovery. We understand that many of the challenges you have faced in treatment and recovery are intersectional. Therefore, you deserve a treatment and recovery program that meets you where you are. With compassion, guidance, support, and accountability, you can break the cycle of suffering to foster a purposeful and fulfilling life in sustained recovery.
Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health disorders does not start and end with treatment. The challenges of addiction and mental illness impact every facet of your life. Thus, access to continuing care services like an alumni program is invaluable to maintaining recovery. Through an active alumni program, you can connect with peers and access resources like self-help groups to thrive post-treatment. While group therapy and self-help groups have many similarities, outside of treatment, self-help groups offer an affordable, peer-driven, and flexible support option. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing support that fosters physical, psychological, and social wellness. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn how self-help groups can support whole-person healing and sustained recovery.