What Types of Addiction Recovery Support Groups are there in Fort Lauderdale?

Addiction is a complex and chronic condition that requires lifelong maintenance. Keeping this in mind, recovery doesn’t end when you complete an addiction treatment program. Individuals maintaining long-term sobriety must continue to engage in the tools and support necessary to stay sober.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the addiction relapse rate is between 40 to 60%.[1] As a result, engaging in recovery maintenance techniques after you complete a rehab program is vital to your sobriety.

One of the best ways to maintain your recovery is to become active in an addiction support group. There are many different types of addiction support groups available in Fort Lauderdale and being aware of each one can help you determine which is right for you.

The Main Addiction Support Groups in Fort Lauderdale

Addiction support groups in Fort Lauderdale are designed to provide you with the support, advice, and coping mechanisms you need to maintain sobriety outside of a treatment facility. With that being said, there are many different types of support groups to ensure that everyone receives the type of assistance they need.

The main addiction support groups available in Fort Lauderdale include:

12-Step Groups

The most popular substance abuse support groups in Fort Lauderdale are 12-step meetings. If you are a recovering addict or alcoholic, you have probably heard of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These are the most popular 12-step recovery programs among individuals in sobriety.

12-step support groups like AA and NA have a step-by-step process that helps people stay sober, right the wrongs of their past, and improve their lives overall. These steps include admitting powerlessness over drugs or alcohol, putting your faith in a higher power of your choosing, and making amends for past wrongdoings. In addition, the 12-step meetings provide people with a sense of community and support that is necessary for maintaining long-term recovery.

SMART Recovery

Even though 12-step recovery meetings are the most popular type of support group in Fort Lauderdale, not everyone relates to the spiritual aspects associated with AA or NA. Because of this, there are alternative support groups like SMART Recovery available.

Rather than relying on a higher power for assistance, SMART Recovery views addiction as a dysfunctional behavior that you have the power to control. This support group uses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you overcome negative behavioral patterns and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Alumni Support Groups

Most addiction treatment centers have alumni programs to help their graduate patients stay connected in a recovery community. Alumni support groups in Fort Lauderdale are a great way to continue engaging in recovery techniques while building a supportive community to rely on when times get tough.

Typically, alumni support groups meet weekly for meetings where people will tell their stories, share hope, and give advice to one another. In addition, they have monthly outings where you can engage in fun activities with your peers.

Women for Sobriety

Women for Sobriety was the first peer-supported support group designed specifically for women who are recovering from substance use disorders. If you are a woman who finds that you are most comfortable opening up around other women, this might be a good group for you.

Women for Sobriety believes that addictive behaviors in women stem from common issues like trauma, gender inequality, and abuse. The goal is to tackle the underlying issues that contributed to the development of your addiction. If you began abusing drugs because of traumatic events in your past, this is a great support group to try out.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S)

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S) is a recovery support group that was created for people who are not religious or spiritual but still need help recovering from substance use disorders. The group believes that people can recover from addiction through their own personal integrity, values, and beliefs.

S.O.S. believes that anyone can achieve long-term sobriety if they make their recovery the priority in their life. The similarity between this group and 12-step meetings is that people are encouraged to share their stories, provide each other with advice, and support one another throughout the process.

Refuge Recovery

Refuge Recovery is an addiction support group that uses Buddhist techniques and principles to help people remain sober. While this support group uses Buddhist ideas, you do not have to be a Buddhist to participate. The main thought behind this group is that addiction can be overcome by learning how to cope with urges and cravings using mindfulness and meditation techniques common among Buddhists.

Get Connected to a Top-Rated Sober Living Program

If you or a loved one recently finished an addiction treatment program, you might want to consider transitioning into sober living. Leaving a rehab facility and assimilating back into everyday life can be difficult, but sober living homes can help you ease this transition.

To learn more about our top-rated sober living program, contact New You Sober Living today.

References:

1. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The Science of Addiction Treatment and Recovery, Retrieved October 2023 From https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery