Alanon, AA, NA, Facebook support groups, therapy groups, etc. The founding of such groups has been a major help for many people that are in need of support and healing. Some may wish to keep to themselves instead of finding a support group. But you may be surprised about the benefits of being a part of a group. Here is my two cents on MY experiences with such groups in case those of you that actually read my website are thinking about joining one.
If you have an issue, a sickness or a disorder, with a simple Google search you may be able to find a support group for your individual needs. It could be anything from a physical support group that meets at a specific location each week, an online forum that you can join, or even a Facebook support group on a private page you have to apply to to join.
When I was younger, I did visit al anon, AA and NA meetings because I was told that as a child it would help me better understand what was happening in my life at the time. I dreaded it though. It was so boring and there was a bad vibe that made me uncomfortable when I went. I also went to a therapist a few times when I was younger and screamed and cried when my parents tried to take me. I HATED it. But now I have a completely different perspective and I absolutely love my therapist that I see almost weekly. So, opinions and beliefs change over time depending on who and what we need in the different chapters of our lives.
With my therapy, I have found other ways to cope, heal and grow when I don’t have my regular appointments or for the times in between. I could not find a support group to attend in person, so with a simple Google search, I found out that there were multiple online support groups that I could join. One of the easiest and most convenient was actually a Facebook support group. I had to agree to the rules of posting and commenting and answer a few questions and then I was in!
At first when I was going through some major issues I loved my online support group. I could rant, ask questions and not feel guilty or alone. I could also ask for advice or coping strategies and get some great advice on some techniques that worked for others like me. But it is not always about you. When logging on, it stays in your feed and you are constantly bombarded with other peoples issues. At times it helps you to give your own advice and feedback to help others and the positive posts are a constant little reminder or a pick-me-up throughout the day. Other times it can be all negative. When you are trying to heal, sometimes it is hard to relive what others are currently going through.
But this is the case with any support group. At times, support groups only seem good when you are actually going through something or have a problem because then you don’t feel alone and you feel supported while you are coping/ healing. But when you are actually doing okay, it may feel like you are purposely putting yourself through the negative unnecessarily again.
There are always positive results from joining a support group. It is like a little family of people with similar issues that you can relate to, talk to, vent to, cope with and support. Even if you only need a group for a short amount of time, that short amount of time would help in coping or healing instead of having to take on your challenges alone.
REACH OUT. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
