Tampa is a diverse community with a variety of resources available for those in recovery and those looking to get sober. Support can come from a variety of different means, but they most commonly come from support groups. The most effective way to gain back your sobriety is an alcohol rehab center. In these facilities, you will detoxify from substances safely; stay in a controlled environment with emotional and physical support, and finally, gain the necessary knowledge and skills to stay sober. Whether you have completed treatment already and would like to continue your care or perhaps you are not ready to commit to a rehab facility, there are a variety of options in the Tampa area to get and stay clean. One of the most common ways to build one’s sober community is through 12-step programs. Talking about addiction problems or experiences with friends and family can be difficult or awkward because they most likely will not be able to relate and understand. Sober communities allow you to meet others who are facing similar experiences as you and talk about them. By sharing your own experiences and struggles with others who also share theirs, your experiences are less alien. Some treatment centers – including Coalition Recovery – pushes you to attend these meetings while in treatment to familiarize with the fellowships so you are comfortable attending outside of treatment.
Where to Find Recovery Meetings in Tampa
Tampa offers a variety of different types of sober community groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Co-dependents Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, just to name a few. The website is a great resource to find the right fellowship in your region. Tampa offers around 17 different types of meetings per day so you should have no trouble finding one around you. If you are looking for Alcoholic Anonymous meetings specifically, you can check out this website to find a full list of times and location as well as additional info like events and news. There are many different types of meetings, including speaker meetings and beginners’ meetings, which are noted on the website using acronyms like:
- BB: Big Book Study
- BEG: Beginners’ Meeting
- CD: Closed Discussion (meaning only those with substance abuse problems may be present in the meeting)
- OD: Open Discussion (meaning those other than alcoholics/addicts may be present, such as medical professionals or those want to learn more about addiction)
- OS: Open Speaker (meaning one pre-designated addict or alcoholic will share their story with a brief time for open sharing after the speaker)
- SP: Spanish Speaking
- TT: Twelve & Twelve Study
- YP: Young People’s Meeting
For information about Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in Tampa, check out this website. They offer information about meetings. If you are interested in more information about the NA program, it can be found in their basic text called Narcotics Anonymous, or in informational pamphlets (IPs) that can be found for free at any meeting. NA suggests attending one meeting a day for 3 months (90-days) to familiarize yourself with the program, become engaged, as well as meet other people apart of the program. This will help you develop a sober-community and sponsor to help you along your journey of recovery.
Keep an Open Mind
As you look for a meeting, keep on open mind. It is best to experiment with a variety of different groups and meetings in order to get a good mix of recovery perspectives – you might only drink, but find you can relate to more people at the local NA meetings. Different meetings have different philosophies and cultures so find which one you enjoy and can connect with. Ideally, you want to find a meeting where you can hear experiences of hope and strength and most of all, where you feel comfortable sharing your own experiences. Don’t be afraid to attend a local meeting, chances are these are the areas where you will find a community you can associate with and network with outside of meetings. Generally, there are meetings after the official meetings at coffee shops, or restaurants for people to hang out and converse. Its a much more casual setting to get to know one another and build a sober community. If you are new to a meeting, ask around if anyone is doing anything after the meeting – these will be great opportunities to solidify relationships with others and find a sponsor. Tampa Bay has a wide range of outpatient facilities and mental health counselors to provide you with the support you need outside of treatment. Most treatment providers should assist you in the facilitation of aftercare by connecting you with your local therapist or clinician, but you can do your own research as well. Tampa offers a variety of these types of services, so you will be able to find a respectable counselor or clinician in your local area. Whether you choose to attend a drug and alcohol addiction center or seek your own help, Tampa has a variety of services to help you get sober and get your life back. We hope you find this resource helpful, but if you have any questions or concerns about your own sobriety or addiction, Coalition Recovery can help point you in the right direction. Call us Today! (888) 707-2873
