Have you ever heard someone complain—under their breath or right out loud—“This meeting could have been an email”?
Lots of folks feel this way about lots and lots of meetings. Maybe the boss likes to get everyone together even when there is no pressing business to discuss. Maybe a co-worker always wants to brainstorm even when a path forward is apparent. Maybe you suspect some members of your team prefer holding meetings to actually working on any given project.
The meetings where little (or no) information is shared could, in fact, often have been handled via a quick email to anyone who needs that information.
But for those who are in recovery from a substance use disorder, there are three kinds of meetings that really cannot be replaced by emails. These are gatherings that require your presence—and also support your ongoing recovery.
12-Step or Other Recovery Program Meetings
You probably figured this type of meeting would be first on the list. Regular participation in 12-Step meetings or other recovery meetings is a basic—and important—practice for people in recovery.
When you get together with other people who are in recovery, you have the opportunity to both give and receive support. Everyone in the room knows what you have gone through—and knows what you are going through now. That shared knowledge is powerful, and the connections among those who meet together can be a powerful defense against relapse.
As your recovery journey unfurls, you may find yourself thinking that regular attendance at recovery meetings is not as important as it used to be. We might argue that if you are feeling confident in your recovery, you have a real opportunity to lend support to those who might be on shakier ground. That practice of giving back also provides additional support to your own recovery.
Meetings With Support Friends and Family Members
Okay, we are stretching the meaning of “meeting” just a bit here. Nevertheless, we do want to emphasize the importance of spending time with folks who understand your situation and support your recovery.
This is important whether you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert, or somewhere in between. Grabbing coffee with a friend, playing a game with your family, sharing meals with those close to you, and more can be very rewarding in and of itself. As an added bonus, as you deepen and strengthen these relationships, you are also firming up the foundation of your recovery.
We encourage you to put these important social interactions in your calendar just as you would any important meeting. It is far too easy to let human connection become a victim of your busy schedule. But when you realize just how essential these relationships are, it only makes sense to include them in your schedule along with all of your responsibilities.
Meetings With Your Therapist
It is important to always remember that a lasting recovery goes hand-in-hand with good mental health. The opposite, of course, is also true. When your mental health is not good, you put yourself at greater risk of experiencing a relapse.
There are lots of things you can do to build up your mental health. Because physical well-being is intertwined with mental well-being, eating healthily, exercising regularly, and sleeping restfully are all good ways to support your mental health. You can also support your mental health via mindfulness practice, yoga, and a variety of efforts you might make to reduce the amount of stress you experience.
But in addition to all of those strategies and others like them, therapy remains a powerful tool for supporting your mental health. Talking things through with a therapist can help you identify strategies for addressing issues you may be facing. It can give you a safe place to get your worries, fears, and frustrations off your chest. And your therapist may be able to help you with mental health medication management, or they will be able to identify when it might be time for you to talk with a doctor.
If You Need Help With a Substance Use Disorder, We Are Eager to Meet You
When you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it can feel as though your entire life is falling apart and that no one can help you reclaim it. Fortunately, however, that is not true. Getting effective, evidence-based treatment for a substance use disorder is the path back to the life you hope to build for yourself.
At French Creek Recovery Center—located in Meadville, Pennsylvania—we offer personalized treatment plans supported by our extensive expertise and experience, as well as an ethos of empathy. We can help you overcome a substance use disorder, and we can also address co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.
We will see you through medically supervised detoxification ahead of our robust rehabilitation program that includes group and individual therapy sessions. And when your time in treatment comes to an end, we will provide ongoing support and resources as your recovery journey gets underway.
When you are ready to make a lasting change, we are ready to help you meet the moment.