Sober Community Groups: What Are They and Where To Find Them?

It’s no secret that addiction has ruined the lives of countless individuals and forever changed their family and friend relationships. The profound impact that addiction has on lives can sometimes lead recovering addicts to very lonely and isolated lives. Isolation can lead to depression and maybe even suicide. But sober community groups are one way recovering addicts can create positive relationships and avoid extreme isolation.

Sober Community Groups

A sober community group is a collective of recovering addicts who support one another’s efforts to maintain their sobriety. There are different types of sober groups, and they are located all over the country in rural, urban, and suburban areas. Alcoholics Anonymous, Women for Sobriety, SMART Recovery, and Narcotics Anonymous are just a few of such groups. The goal of these groups is to offer a supportive and protected environment for recovering addicts. Here they can share their journeys, their struggles, and successes, and encourage one another in meaningful and lasting ways.

Where to Find Them

There are several ways to locate sober community groups. Sometimes you may have to get creative to find one, but there’s almost always a meeting nearby. Here are some suggestions for finding a sober group wherever you are.

● Do an Internet search. Just enter sober group meetings or the name of a specific support group to see what is available near you.

● If you can’t find one through your favorite search engine, look up and contact a recovery center to ask where you can find a sober group.

● Download an app. Some groups have an app that can pair you with a meeting wherever you are. Al-Anon Family Groups and NA Meeting Search are two popular apps.

How They Help

Sober community groups help one another by providing emotional support and motivation. Sober groups are even sources of education and entertainment. Sometimes these groups will host classes to help recovering addicts learn more about addiction and what options are available to them in their recovery. They also will hold social events that give former addicts a chance to have a great time without engaging in detrimental and unsafe behavior. Sober communities are a source of positive role models and offer people the chance to learn how to rebuild networks in a way that is healthy, as well as make new connections with meaningful interactions. Recovery groups are a way for recovering addicts to see other members who have maintained sobriety over a long period of time.

When people are attempting to achieve and maintain sobriety so that they can have a better quality of life, it’s important that they are properly supported and cared for. The work of sober community groups is an integral part of many recovering addicts’ treatment and recovery because peer support helps to improve recovery outcomes. When former addicts feel empowered to take control of their present and future, they automatically exude more confidence. Social support plays a big role in helping to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.