How to Build a Healthy Support System During Outpatient Treatment

A group of people standing next to each other.

 

Peer support is essential for treating and recovering individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Most treatment programs involve mandatory group therapy and community activities that encourage healthy social bonding in a structured environment. Newport Beach Recovery Center is a thriving community where clients can heal together.

Peer relationships provide an excellent source of support, encouragement, and accountability. An article in the Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation journal states, “Active engagement in peer support groups have shown to be a key predictor of recovery, and sustaining recovery.” The relationships you make within the recovery community can last a lifetime and can help you build a healthier future.

What Is a Support System?

A support system is a group of people who have your best interest at heart and provide practical support and emotional encouragement. The number of people in the system is less vital than the quality of their support. Recovery is a long process, and having peers who celebrate your successes and help you overcome challenges can make a significant difference in treatment and aftercare.

A support system can include the following individuals:

  • Care team and case manager
  • Medical professionals
  • Therapists or counselors
  • Friends
  • Family members
  • Social peers
  • Mentors and sponsors

Your support system should provide multiple levels and types of support to ensure you have someone to turn to in almost any situation. Having someone available and willing to help you during recovery can make coping with intrusive thoughts, cravings, triggers, and crisis moments easier.

How Can You Expand Your Support System?

Not everyone has a support system when they begin treatment. Many people isolate themselves while under the influence of substances. Part of recovery involves repairing relationships damaged by the effects of addiction and building new social connections. Close family and friends may choose to become a part of your support system. However, not everyone feels capable of providing emotional or practical support to individuals in recovery. Be sure to ask them if they would like to be part of your support system and make sure they understand the responsibilities before relying on them to help you.

You can expand your support system by actively reaching out to people who have shown that they care about your well-being. In some situations, including individual therapy, the people involved in helping you understand that their role inherently makes them a part of your support system.

You can also expand your peer support system by doing the following:

  • Volunteering within the recovery community
  • Attending sober events
  • Joining recreational clubs or groups within the recovery community
  • Actively engaging in your treatment and forming bonds with peers at the facility

Many people make lifelong friends and mentors by becoming part of the community and interacting with others who share a goal of sustained sobriety.

The Mental Health Benefits of Peer Support

A strong support system will improve your mental and emotional health. For example, cravings and intrusive thoughts can lead to backsliding or relapse. You can manage those symptoms by using your coping skills and relying on individuals that care about you.

The mental health benefits of peer support include:

  • Decreased stress
  • Less severe symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Improved self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Emotional stability
  • Increased sense of self-worth

Self-Help and 12-Step Groups

Positive social interactions can help you feel motivated to continue moving forward in treatment. Almost every outpatient treatment program involves group therapy and complementary self-help groups. Self-help and 12-Step groups also play an essential role in aftercare support. Individuals recovering from SUD can benefit from attending the following:

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
  • Al-anon
  • General support groups
  • Specific support groups

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), recovery support services “provided by professionals and peers, are delivered through a variety of community and faith-based groups, treatment providers, schools, and other specialized services.” You can reach out to clinics, hospitals, therapy offices, and treatment centers like Newport Beach Recovery Center to get details on local meetings.

Maintaining Peer Support During Aftercare

Peer support is critical during aftercare when you do not have access to the same structured environment that facilitates accountability and positive change during residential and outpatient treatment. Peers can step in and motivate you to maintain healthy routines and new thought patterns that help you maintain sobriety.

The most common forms of peer support during aftercare include:

  • Mentors and sponsors
  • Self-help and 12-Step groups
  • Group therapy or counseling
  • Recovery organizations, groups, and events

Outpatient treatment allows you to expand your support system to include self-help groups and peer groups that can help you cope with challenges during treatment and aftercare.

You do not have to go through treatment and ongoing recovery alone. Inclusive communities of compassionate and empathetic peers exist in cities around the country. People in these communities support one another through long-term recovery. You can find them by reaching out to local resources, including therapy and doctor offices, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities like Newport Beach Recovery Center. We believe everyone deserves to feel respected and supported during recovery. You will benefit from interacting with peers during therapy and aftercare. You will respond better to treatment if you have positive social bonds to rely on and a nonjudgmental community where you can safely practice social skills and coping mechanisms. Most cities have multiple self-help and 12-Step groups where you can attend meetings and interact with others with similar life experiences. To learn more about the programs and referrals we offer, contact us today by calling (855) 316-8740.

The Benefits To An Outpatient Program


With an outpatient program for addiction treatment, patients can attend treatment while also having time to do everything else that is important to them. Whether it is taking care of family, going to work or taking classes, outpatient therapy can serve as a great way to get addiction treatment without having to stay at a rehabilitation center.

What are the benefits of outpatient programs?

These programs offer many advantages in comparison to other forms of addiction treatment.

  • Flexibility to find a program that works best with your schedule. Outpatient addiction treatments have a range of options that fit into your life. Some of these programs include group therapy, day treatment and even family therapy.
  • More cost-effective than residential programs. Since you do not have to pay for meals and overnight accommodations, these addiction treatment programs are typically less expensive than inpatient options.
  • Build a network of support from others in addiction treatment who can hold you accountable when not in outpatient programs. Having support from others in your addiction program who can relate to what you are going through can be helpful. It can definitely help to build a community of people who understand your struggles and temptations because they have been there, too.
  • Do not have to worry about taking off work or school, or rejecting other activities while in an outpatient program. Because outpatient treatments are on your schedule, there is room in your life to still work or attend classes while in addiction treatment. Plus the ability to stay in contact with your social network can lower stress, which is incredibly important as you battle addiction.
  • Living in the real world while also attending addiction treatment. One of the most difficult parts for patients who graduate in an inpatient program is returning to the real world. By doing an outpatient program, addiction is managed while also dealing with external factors and threats to recovery.

Who benefits from outpatient programs?

Outpatient addiction programs can be a great asset for many people. Addictions can vary, but outpatient treatment can be a tool for any of them. Besides the person battling addiction, there are other people who can benefit from outpatient programs.

  • Employers. If a person can get treatment in the evenings, employers will not have to worry about replacing someone during business hours. Plus, this helps the employee not have to use paid-time-off.
  • Families. You will not have to miss your child’s soccer game. You can be there on the weekends. You can see your family. Going to an outpatient program means that you do not have to wait for your family to visit you in order to spend time with them. You are able to live your life, while also getting help for your addiction. Plus there are also opportunities for families to be a part of the treatment process with family counseling and therapy, to provide your loved ones with the resources to know how to talk to you and support you through your recovery.
  • Friends. With an outpatient recovery program, friends can see you as you get treatment for addiction. There is not a wait or an awkward pause between getting treated and seeing your friends. This is a process that friends can benefit from since they can be a part of the journey and watch as you go through treatment.
  • Pets. Of course, your fluffiest family members benefit from having your care. Not having to get a sitter to watch your home and pets is a great perk of outpatient addiction treatment.

Why are outpatient programs used?

Outpatient programs can be used as a post-inpatient program to ensure recovery is held accountable. Outpatient programs can also be useful to people who might not have the option to complete residential addiction treatment. Overall, outpatient treatment provides an alternative approach to residency programs, but can also be used as a tool after inpatient addiction treatment is complete.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, don’t be afraid to reach out! Contact us today here at Newport Beach Recovery Center!

Inpatient vs Outpatient: Which is best?


Addiction treatment is something that doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all style. When you or your loved one has reached the place where you are ready to heal and move on to a healthier, more fulfilling life, you have some decisions to make regarding where you will seek help. One of these decisions involves whether you will enter an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Knowing the ups and downs of both types of addiction treatment programs will help you make the best decision for you.

What is Inpatient Treatment?

This is the type of treatment you hear about most often. You are admitted to a facility that literally becomes your world for the duration of the process. The person undergoing treatment may first have to undergo a detox program for a few days at a hospital or other facility where the process is supervised by medical doctors. Some inpatient facilities are able to accommodate you during this time, but you will need to ask if they have that capability. Detox itself is the most dangerous time of addiction treatment physically and undergoing it without medical help is often dangerous. Once the drug or drugs in question are out of your system, the healing process can begin.

Inpatient treatment requires you to live at a facility where you will be scheduled for things like one-on-one counseling, group counseling, recreational activities and more. You will be totally immersed in the recovery process. Decisions such as when to eat and sleep will be made for you. Friends and family will only be able to call or visit during scheduled times. These programs normally last an average of ten weeks but the time can vary.

During an inpatient stay, your entire focus is on recovery and learning the skills that will help you stay strong when you leave.

What is Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment allows you to live in your home and visit a facility several times a week for counseling sessions. These may include individual, group, family counseling, or a combination of these. During outpatient treatment, you are able to continue living in your own home and going to work each day. You maintain your own schedule and decide when to see friends and family. Many times, outpatient treatment will include having someone to call when you feel you may backslide. Before undergoing outpatient treatment, you will likely have to spend a few days in a hospital-type setting to undergo physical detox.

Unlike inpatient treatment, your entire focus will not be on treatment. You will most often continue your job, interact regularly with friends and family and otherwise continue with the responsibilities you normally take on.

So, Which Treatment Option is Best?

Both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs have pros and cons and only you and an intake counselor will be able to determine which is best for your particular situation. Some of the major differences include:

*With inpatient treatment, you are in a completely new environment and surrounded by others who are also undergoing drug rehab. This allows you to be around others who can fully understand what you are going through. The downside is that you have limited contact with friends and family who may be important as part of your support system.

*In outpatient treatment, you are in a familiar environment, can continue the positive routines such as work and parenting, and can regularly access the support of positive friends and family. If, however, this environment or these people are going to expose you to the drugs or alcohol that have been a part of your problem, it can undermine your efforts at healing.

*Some insurances won’t cover the cost of one kind of treatment or another. You will have to find out in advance exactly what your insurance will and won’t cover. Outpatient programs cost less than inpatient ones because they don’t include a room to live in or food. Cost may be a factor in making your decision.

*With inpatient rehab, you are taught new coping skills and ways to replace your addiction with positive activities. When you are discharged, you have the knowledge but must take time practicing these new skills. With outpatient treatment, you will also be given these skills but must practice them immediately. This helps you master the skills earlier, but may also make it more difficult as you are putting them into practice before you may be ready.

Final Thoughts

Talking with an intake person will help you make your decision about which type of program is best for you. Each person has a different set of needs, different severity of the addiction, and different support system, so there is no one program that is perfect for everyone. When you are ready to put addiction behind you, contact Newport Beach Recovery to speak with an intake counselor. We’re waiting for your call.