How Do I Get the Most Out of My AA Group in Residential Treatment?

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Many people do not realize that most residential rehab programs offer AA as a possible choice for treatment. Below are several tips on how to get the most out of joining an AA group during residential treatment.

Call 800-948-8417 Who Answers? today to find safe, reliable rehab centers where you can begin your journey of recovery.

Contribute to the Meetings

It can be uncomfortable or even scary to talk about yourself in front of strangers, but one of the best ways to benefit from AA is to contribute to the meetings by speaking up. By doing so, you can ensure that your problems are acknowledged, that other members know you care about getting better, and that you are able to distinguish yourself in the group. It is also more likely if you speak up that something else will be said in the meeting that will help your recovery.

Participate in Activities

Participating in activities will help you stay involved.

AA groups may still choose to plan activities together even while in residential care. Getting involved in these is also necessary to getting the most out of the program. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Active involvement in 12-step meetings and related activities” is absolutely essential to doing well in the program and reaping its full benefits.

Talk to Your Counselor

One of the advantages you will have by attending residential care in addition to AA is that you will be able to discuss your progress in the program with your counselor. As stated by the Substance Abuse Research and Mental Health Services Administration, certain steps will often be presented by counselors in a particular way to ensure patients understand them and are prepared to work on them. Your counselor will be an invaluable resource to you, able to answer questions about the program and how you can best benefit from it.

The Benefits of Mental Health Counseling during Residential Treatment for Alcoholics

There are many options available to alcoholics to help them deal with detoxification and help them to become clean. However, the detoxification process will be for nothing if the patient does not get an opportunity to deal with the psychological ramifications of the addiction. There are many benefits of mental health counseling while the addict…

Talk to Members Outside Meetings

A good way to get to know your fellow members and to form stronger social supports is to talk to them before, after, or outside the meetings in general. You will likely be participating in multiple activities together, and if someone seemed in the meeting like they may be an interesting individual or you may be able to learn a lot from them, it can be very helpful to take the first step of talking to them outside the regular meeting space. It is always important to remember, however, that AA is an anonymous program, so you must be careful not to bring up anything they would not want to discuss outside the meetings.

AA as a Part of Professional Addiction Rehab

Patients can absolutely benefit from having AA as a part of their recovery program, especially in a residential treatment setting. The group can help expand one’s recovery and allow them to meet and communicate with others who are struggling with the same issues. Call 800-948-8417 Who Answers? now to find inpatient rehab programs that utilize AA meetings and other 12-step methods as part of treatment.