Whether you’re attending inpatient or outpatient meetings for rehab, getting the most out of this experience is important. When you’re putting in the effort, you can gain the greatest rewards. Focusing on meetings can help in developing better health, more meaningful relationships and personal goals. Therefore, learn how to get the most out of the meetings.
Making the Most of Meetings
When it comes to treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, some people suggest that the program facilitators are entirely responsible for how successful the meetings are. Of course, the team members play an important role in developing individual plans and speaking with clients. However, you have a lot of power and control in how the meetings go. Some specific factors can aid in the creation of effective meetings:
- consistency
- participation
- openness
- willingness to move forward
- selection of the right program
Consistency
Consistently attending meetings is a critical part of being successful in recovery. You may eventually get to a point in your life where you don’t need to attend meetings on a regular basis. However, the start of your journey toward recovery isn’t that time. Choosing meetings that are held at a time and in a location that are suitable for your needs is important. If you’re already questioning if you can make it to meetings from work before the program has even started, you might be setting yourself up for failure. Select a program that you can regularly attend without conflict.
Participation
During your first meeting, you might feel inclined to sit in the back of the room and say very little. Observing a meeting can be an effective way to feel comfortable with the idea, but don’t permanently stay in this state. Recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction is a process that requires active participation on your part. To start feeling more comfortable with participating, you could casually chat with some of the other members after the meeting. Also, if you’re invited to participate during the meeting, accept this invitation.
Openness
Select a program that allows you to freely express your emotions and experiences without fear of judgment. Feeling as though you have to hold back in meetings could stifle your progress. Also, keep an open mind when it comes to suggestions from coordinators and other participants. The team members might suggest certain activities, such as using nature as inspiration for creative works or connecting with a higher power and being open to these ideas can help your recovery.
Willingness to Move Forward
A recovery program is only going to work if you are truly willing to move forward. If you’re feeling tempted into using drugs and alcohol, think about all of the reasons to avoid doing so. Furthermore, think about the other ways that you can move forward. For example, you might be trying to mend a relationship with a person who does not want to forgive you right now. Accepting that you may have lost that relationship is difficult, but continuing to harp on the situation can negatively affect your recovery.
Selection of the Right Program
Getting the most out of your meetings also involves choosing a program that is the right fit for you. For example, if you are in a religious or spiritual program, going to meetings that involve a profession of faith in a higher being can be a smart idea. On the other hand, if you do not believe in a higher being, this type of program would likely be a poor fit for your needs. While you do want to start going to meetings as soon as possible, taking the time to find the right fit is an important part of having a successful recovery experience.
The fact that you’re taking the first step is to attend meetings is an achievement worthy of praise. You’ve acknowledged that a problem exists, and you are on the road to getting help. You don’t have to walk on this road alone, and professionals can help you to select the right meetings for your needs. Call 833-820-2922 to speak with a representative today.