Addiction is a complex disease that affects the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of a person’s life. Fortunately, a number of effective methods of treatment have been developed that can break the addiction cycle. These often require the client to change their lifestyle and form new connections with other people in recovery. This becomes their support network. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a common way to forge a healthier (emotionally and physically) and more fulfilling way of life.
However, like anything that requires facing one’s fears, starting an IOP can be challenging. After completing an IOP, for many people, there is a feeling of graduation. However, those who are most successful in recovery are those who recognize the need to continue and expand their connections with others in recovery.
After an Intensive Outpatient Program: The Joy of Connection (And Dangers of Loneliness)
One of the main driving factors behind addiction is isolation. The saying regarding those in recovery from addiction goes, “If you are in your own head, you are in a bad neighborhood.” Of course, it is impossible not to be alone sometimes, but it illustrates an important point about addictions of any kind. They flourish without a sense of communion with others. Loneliness is like fertilizer for the growth of substance obsessions, like kerosene on hot coals. Connection is a way to return to the world and create a safe place to look for help when needed.
Those dealing with substance abuse problems might benefit greatly from IOPs. These programs aim to help addicts regain their freedom while receiving the help they need to beat their habit. Nonetheless, it may not be easy to maintain sobriety after the program finishes without a solid support structure.
Community Is Key
Community is a basic human need. It is a key to happiness in life for the average person. For the person in recovery, though, it can mean life or death.
Addiction has a funny way of forcing people to improve their lives. Many people go their whole lives without ever making a conscious effort to deal with their deepest resentments and emotional hangups. For people in recovery, it’s not a choice. Not addressing serious emotional problems will only result in a relapse. The same is true for connection with others. If someone wants to continue to stay sober and live their life after an intensive outpatient program, living their life with and even for others is important.
After Intensive Outpatient Program: The Necessity of Finding Happiness in Recovery
For people in the early stages of recovery, it’s crucial to connect with the people around them. Accountability is key to staying sober, and having people hold them accountable can make all the difference. When a person surrounds themselves with others who are also in recovery, they have a group of people who understand what they are going through. Anyone with experience in the matter knows that is no small advantage. Having connections can mean everything when life gets challenging. These people can offer them support and guidance when they need it most.
However, like finding emotional stability, making close connections with others isn’t a sacrifice. For the most part, having lots of friends feels great. People often make some of their dearest friends who may understand them better than anyone else in their life. They find people to laugh about their flaws with, people who may treat them better than they treat themselves at times, and people to remind them that they belong and they matter.
Connecting with others helps combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. When someone has people around them who care about them and understand their struggles, they are less likely to feel alone and more likely to reach out for help when they need it.
Encouraging Healing Through Connection
Buena Vista is a place where people can safely walk through the passion and catharsis of healing. Our facility was built on the idea that human connection is critical for getting better. We provide a secure, welcoming space where people in recovery may make meaningful connections with others.
Therapy and support group sessions are available at Buena Vista. These programs put people in touch with others going through the same experiences. In group therapy, clients share their experiences and provide each other with encouragement and advice. Support groups allow people to talk about their problems, be comforted and inspired by one another, and gain insight from others who have gone through similar situations. To ensure clients discover what type of group works for them, Buena Vista hosts a wide range of support group sessions. This includes both 12-Step and non-12-Step groups.
Finding the Right Path Forward
Clients can also benefit from using additional tools found in and outside of an IOP. Every one of them can make a difference. People might use therapy sessions to discover more about what’s causing their addiction and work on ways to forge a new path. Individual and group therapy sessions are available at Buena Vista to assist clients in dealing with the psychological and emotional effects of substance use.
Community is one of the greatest gifts of recovery. It provides resources for overcoming the challenges of early hurdles and maintaining sobriety. Our talented and compassionate staff members help create a safe place for clients to begin to put their faith in someone else. But that is just the beginning. Because social support is so important for a successful recovery, Buena Vista aims to help people make meaningful connections with those in the community who walk along the same path.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), there is a way forward. A happy, more successful, and fulfilling life lies ahead. Buena Vista is a rehabilitation facility dedicated to transforming clients’ lives for the better. Buena Vista offers many types of treatments, such as inpatient and outpatient programs, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), support groups, and therapy sessions. You can beat addiction and have a healthy, joyful life with the help of those who believe in you. At Buena Vista, you can tap into the expertise of professionals and the encouragement of peers. You have nothing to lose and the world to gain. Reach out now. For more information, call (480) 741-9414.
