Recovery Support Groups At Ohio Recovery Center

People who struggle with their mental health often feel alone. However, mental illness is actually quite common, with almost one in five U.S. adults living with a mental health disorder. 

Connecting with other people who have faced similar challenges can help you see that you are not alone, that what you are experiencing is quite normal, and that recovery is possible.

As part of our daily treatment offerings, support groups at Ohio Recovery Center provide an opportunity to connect with your peers in a safe, supportive, stigma-free environment.

Types Of Support Groups At ORC

You will find two main categories of support groups at ORC: those for people with substance use disorder and those for people with other mental health disorders. 

Led by professional facilitators, these group meetings allow you to share your life experiences without the fear of being judged. 

Sharing your stories can help you grow in confidence while hearing other people’s stories can help you feel less alone and gain a broader perspective on living with mental illness. 

Addiction Recovery Support Groups At ORC

One of the most widely recognized support groups is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), offering a 12-step program that is proven to be effective in helping people overcome alcohol addiction.

Along with AA, Ohio Recovery Center also offers Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a similar 12-step peer recovery group but for people with drug addiction.

You can also find Celebrate Recovery groups at ORC, for people with substance use disorders or other mental health issues.

These support groups place an emphasis on surrendering to a higher power, which doesn’t resonate with everyone.

For that reason, ORC offers secular support group options as well, like SMART Recovery. SMART stands for “self-management and recovery training” and, like AA, is proven to be effective.  

Instead of relying on a higher power, SMART Recovery relies on psychology tools and techniques supported by science.

Mental Health Recovery Support Groups At ORC

We also have support groups for a wide variety of mental health conditions at ORC.

These include:

• major depressive disorder (depression)
• anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• bipolar disorder
• schizophrenia
• borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Because addiction and other mental health disorders, such as depression, often co-occur, we also offer dual diagnosis support groups if there is a need.

Aftercare Support Group & Other Continuing Care Options

Once you have finished treatment at Ohio Recovery Center, your aftercare team will help make sure that you can continue to benefit from support groups.

One popular option is joining our alumni program, which offers an opportunity to stay connected with fellow program participants and meet other people who have sought treatment at ORC.

Not everyone can attend the holiday gatherings, social outings, and other fun local events that our alumni program provides, so we also offer virtual meetups.

This can be an especially helpful and easy way for people who live out of town to continue sharing their successes and challenges in recovery.

Your aftercare team can also help you find local options for AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or other groups close to home.

Benefits Of Recovery Support Groups

People who attend mental health and addiction recovery support groups receive many benefits.

Judgment-Free Support

Many people with mental health conditions feel isolated and like no one understands them. These feelings often stem from stigma. 

Stigma happens when false beliefs that cause people to judge or discriminate go unchallenged. 

In regard to addiction or mental health issues, this includes believing that people who can’t stop drinking or doing drugs are lazy or weak, or that people with a mental health disorder are crazy or even possessed.

Even though science has long since proven that addiction and mental health disorders are medical conditions that require treatment, stigma persists.

As a society, we have a long way to go in overcoming stigma, but support groups can help reduce shame and isolation by providing a safe, judgment-free space where healing can occur.

A Sense Of Community And Purpose

When recovering from any health condition, an emotional support system is often vital. However, because mental health conditions can affect your relationships, you may struggle to find support among family and friends. 

In a mental health support group, you’ll receive encouragement and compassion from people with similar experiences. You may even develop close friends who will support your recovery journey for years to come.

Moreover, you’ll have the chance to support others in the same way, giving you a sense of purpose and boosting your self-esteem. This increased confidence can further improve your overall well-being. 

A Chance To Learn Coping Skills

Along with sharing their challenges, people in support groups also discuss what works for them regarding their mental health and recovery. 

This will provide you with new coping strategies to try. While not all ways of coping work for everyone, it’s helpful to experiment. In general, the more coping skills you have, the better your mental health. 

Similarly, support groups for caregivers of people with specific conditions can provide family members and other loved ones with tips for prioritizing their own care as well.

Begin Your Recovery At Ohio Recovery Center

To learn more about support groups and other evidence-based treatments at Ohio Recovery Center, please reach out to us.