Peer support and group therapy is a fundamental building block of mental health and emotional recovery plans, and substance abuse is no exception. Very few people can “go it alone” when it comes to recovering from substance abuse and dependency, and often they will need to speak with people who have dealt with the same problems. Peer support allows those working toward sobriety to learn from the experience of others and adopt new strategies while dealing with the challenges and exploring the opportunities that come from rebuilding a life after substance abuse.
The two most popular support groups are Alcoholics Anonymous, better known as AA, and its offshoot Narcotics Anonymous, referred to as NA. These two groups will likely be a part of the life of any person recovering from alcohol abuse or drug abuse in Fort Lauderdale, and it is worth understanding just what they are and how they fit into a recovery plan.
Many people attend their first AA or NA meeting as part of a drug rehab program in Fort Lauderdale, but some people attend their first and subsequent meetings at standalone locations throughout the city.
AA Meetings In Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Peer support groups are now part of everyday life and can be found for everything from illnesses to common life events such as the loss of a loved one or facing past trauma. But believe it or not, support groups are less than a century old, and were first created as a temporary solution to the rising problem of alcoholism in the United States.
Created in 1935, AA is the oldest peer support group, and is famously built around the “twelve steps.” This program is designed to help recovering alcoholics work their way back to a place of sobriety by emphasizing self-awareness, accountability, respect for self and others, and finally to arrive at a place where they better understand the consequences of their actions when they consume alcohol, and choose not to do it. While spiritual in nature, AA is not affiliated with any particular religion, and the spirituality aspect has even been set aside by some groups in the spirit of inclusiveness around which AA was built.
AA is designed to help, so there is no cost to attend an AA meeting and you are not expected to have any particular educational attainment or social status. Instead, you are expected to arrive willing to work on self-improvement by listening to other members, discussing your past, and working through the various steps.
Finding AA Meetings Near Me
AA is designed to be extremely flexible to best fit the needs of each group. As a result, there are many, many different approaches to AA depending on who is leading the meetings and the composition of the group. For example, some meetings allow spouses and adult children to attend along with the person in recovery, or are connected to similar support groups. Other meetings are men-only or women-only if that is part of the needs of the group.
It is best for anyone considering attending an AA meeting to write out what they are looking for and what will make them most comfortable and to discuss that with the group leader if at all possible. AA meetings regularly see people attending one or two meetings to determine whether it is a good fit for them, and if you are uncomfortable or otherwise cannot make a meeting work for you, many will be able to refer you to other meetings that may better fit your criteria. The ultimate goal is more self-awareness, and knowing that you may not be able to do the work in certain situations is part of that.
Ft. Lauderdale Men’s Group
St. Mark’s Episcopalian Church
1750 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
Free to Be Group
Second Presbyterian Church
1400 N. Federal Hwy.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
You can find other AA meeting locations in Fort Lauderdale using the Alcoholics Anonymous website location tool.
NA Meetings In Fort Lauderdale, Florida
While there are similarities in alcohol addiction and drug addiction, there are also some differences. To address these differences, NA was founded in the early 1950s to help those specifically dealing with drug addiction.
NA and AA are very similar, in that they both use the twelve-step program, both are free and open to all who need help and support, and both have a wide variety of styles and meetings that depend heavily on both the group and the leadership. They diverge in that different substances offer different challenges, and so some meetings may be themed around particular controlled substances, while others may address the problem of addiction to drugs more generally.
Finding NA Meetings Near Me
“Fit” is particularly important with NA. In some cases, a person may be obligated to attend some form of peer support meeting as part of a legal proceeding or judgment. Just like AA, “auditioning” meetings is a common practice and it makes sense to consider what you need from a peer support meeting before you attend.
Lambda South Clubhouse
1231A East Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2331
Mission of Saint Francis
208 SE 8th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1014
Joseph Carter Park
1450 West Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
For additional meeting locations in Fort Lauderdale, check out the Narcotics Anonymous website.
Peer support often makes the path to sobriety an easier one. A good meeting can help you discover new strategies to cope with life and ensure you have the help of someone who has been there. No one is an island, and the support of peers will make a difference as you rebuild your life.
The professionals at The Recovery Village strongly support the efforts of groups like AA and NA because of the positive difference these support groups make in the lives of addicts and their families. Call The Recovery Village today to discuss AA and NA as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for addiction in Fort Lauderdale.