You have probably heard someone say under their breath—or even muttered it yourself— “This meeting could have been an email.”
Even if you have never encountered the phrase, you can probably intuit what it refers to. You have probably been in a meeting—at work, school, with an organization you volunteer for, or elsewhere—that is made up of content that could have easily been shared in email. This can be especially frustrating when you are feeling overwhelmed with tasks because it would be so much faster to read the information for yourself.
Now, we are not organizational efficiency experts, so we are not going to weigh in on why bosses and others schedule in-person meetings when a quick email would do. But we are experts when it comes to recovery from a substance use disorder. In that capacity, we want to talk about a kind of meeting that could not, in fact, be an email—a kind of meeting that should be an essential part of your approach to your recovery.
We are talking, of course, about recovery meetings.
Why Recovery Meetings Are Important
The recovery journey has plenty of ups and downs. Sometimes you seem to be cruising along, hardly ever thinking about drugs or alcohol. Other times, you might need to stare down strong cravings. Much of the time, your experience will likely be somewhere in between.
Recovery meetings can serve you well no matter what you are currently experiencing in your recovery.
Feeling good? You can support others who might be struggling by hearing their stories and offering encouragement.
Feeling terrible? You can share your struggles and get support from others who know what you have been through and what you are going through in the moment.
Feeling somewhere in between? You can give and get support in a community of people who have a shared understanding of recovery from a substance use disorder.
Outside of a group therapy program (like the one that is part of the rehabilitation program at a substance use disorder treatment center), recovery meetings may well be the only place that a group of people with shared struggles can get together for mutual support. These meetings provide a place to celebrate each other’s good moments and to offer kindness during each other’s difficult times.
Overcoming Concerns About Recovery Meetings
You may be reading this post and thinking that we make good points, but that recovery meetings are just not for you. You might feel this way for a number of reasons. Let’s address a few of them.
- I am too busy to go to recovery meetings. We get it. It can sometimes feel like responsibilities at work or school or home or beyond are eating up every last second of your time. You might be experiencing a lot of stress related to time pressure, and it might seem like adding recovery meetings to your schedule would make things worse. We would argue, however, that going to recovery meetings is essential for a person who experiences high levels of stress, no matter the cause. That is because stress chips away at the foundations of your recovery—and going to a meeting gives you a chance to reset and get the encouragement you need to hold things together.
- I am an introvert and meetings make me uncomfortable. For some people, gatherings of people can be really challenging and lead to feelings of anxiety. Introverts often struggle in a world that can seem like it was built for extroverts, and the very idea of attending a meeting might seem more difficult than it is worth. If you are an introvert, however, we would still strongly encourage you to attend meetings regularly. Generally, you do not have to share unless you want to, and you can take your time getting comfortable in the group and making a connection or two. Remembering that the group is made up of individuals who have had similar experiences can, perhaps, make attendance feel less daunting.
- I am worried I’ll experience a relapse and my group will be disappointed in me. Relapse is, of course, always a possibility. But when it comes to the people in your recovery meetings, you need not worry that they will be disappointed. In fact, they will be people who will welcome you back after you have returned to treatment and are ready to restart your recovery. Being part of a group that will not judge you when you struggle can be a true help no matter what challenges you face.
Choose the Recovery Meeting That Is Best for You
There are several different approaches when it comes to recovery meetings. There are, of course, the well-known 12-Step programs. But there are other options as well, including SMART Recovery and Celebrate Recovery, among others. We encourage you to find the right program for your needs.
We Are Always Here to Help
Located in Henryville, Indiana, Wooded Glen Recovery Center offers personalized, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. We are ready and able to help you reclaim your life from drugs or alcohol through medically supervised detoxification, a rehabilitation program that includes group and individual therapy, and ongoing support after your time in treatment comes to an end. Let’s make a change together.