How can I find a recovery support group in Indiana?

In 2022, 48.7 million people suffered from a substance use disorder (SUD), so if you are one of those people, you’re not alone. Often, those in recovery find it beneficial to attend support groups to interact with peers and to share their struggles and successes. If you are looking for a recovery support group in Indiana, there are many resources that can help you.

Resources to Find a Recovery Support Group in Indiana

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends the following organizations.

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• SMART Recovery

Your state or local mental health agencies are also often helpful resources for finding specific types of support groups, or you can contact Bridges of Hope. We’d be happy to connect you with support groups near you.

How Does a Recovery Support Group Work?

Not all recovery support groups are alike, but the common thread is that they give you the opportunity to form mutually supportive relationships with peers. Some have an open discussion forum in which members can share their stories, while others may involve reading out loud from a recovery related book, such as the Alcoholics Anonymous book. Some are a combination of both.

Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are 12-step programs, which hold meetings in public places, usually for 60 to 90 minutes. Members are encouraged to follow the 12 steps, which are as follows:

1. We admitted that we were powerless over [our addiction], that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. We humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to [addicts], and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

It’s important to note that 12 step groups are intended to be spiritual, not religious, and members are free to define their higher power however they choose and do not have to call the power God.

An alternative to 12-step programs is the SMART recovery program, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. It takes a more scientific approach to building motivation to stop using, learning healthy coping strategies, and managing negative thoughts and feelings.

You may need to try a few different support groups to find one where you are comfortable and feel connected. If you don’t like your first few, don’t give up. Every group has a different format and dynamic, so keep trying.

Benefits of a Recovery Support Group

After treatment for an SUD, a recovery support group can be beneficial to you in a variety of ways.

• Peer interaction: You can share your experiences, struggles, and successes with peers and hear theirs as well.
• Emotional support: Peers provide support for each other and the emotions they are dealing with such as fear and anxiety.
• Education: You can learn more about the nature of your SUD and about coping skills to use going forward.
• Relapse prevention: You can learn relapse prevention strategies, receive support when you face temptation, and share relapse stories when they occur.
• Social connection: You can overcome feelings of isolation by connecting with peers.
• Inspiration: The stories of peer successes can motivate and inspire you.
• Mentorship: You can connect with someone who has been in recovery for a long time and receive mentorship and support.
• Accountability: Your support system can hold you accountable for attending meetings and staying on track.

The Road to Recovery

If you are just starting to explore recovery options, you should seek professional advice first. Recovery support groups are beneficial, but more often than not, recovery should begin with professional treatment in an inpatient setting, particularly if you experience withdrawal. Detox can be not only uncomfortable, but dangerous, so a medically supervised detox in an inpatient setting can keep you safe.

Additionally, by consulting with a mental health professional at a place like Bridges of Hope, you can determine the recovery path that’s right for you. The best course is often a 30-day inpatient treatment program, then outpatient treatment, followed by joining a recovery support group that you can be involved with for the long term.

In Closing

Recovery support groups can be very beneficial for those with an SUD, offering support that can increase your chances of long-term recovery. You can connect with peers and have a safe space to discuss your challenges and successes.

Call Bridges of Hope today and we can help you to find a support group in Indiana that’s right for you.