Long term, residential treatment services, ranging from medical stabilization, residential treatment, outpatient to sober living.
At Brazos Recovery, we believe in healthy, happy relationships; from the ones, we have with ourselves, to the ones that we have with our loved ones and each other.
We do not exist on this earth to be alone or isolated. Yet for some, poor relationships are the very cause of our addiction and may take some time to untangle and understand. Many of us will struggle with relationships at some point in our lives, and that’s where our relationships group comes in.
We host this group to offer a space for residents to deepen their relationships with one another, explore the relationship they have with themselves and observe patterns in previous relationships that have affected them in both a positive and negative way.
As with all of our groups, we spend time in conversation in a space that is non-judgmental and, ultimately, anchored in love. For some, it may be the first time in their life that they have had the chance to talk about how they feel in an honest and open way – and we aim to support those who are going through any relationship difficulties.
Some examples of the relationships we look at are:
Self
The relationship we have with ourselves is arguably the most important one we will ever encounter in life. Through group discussion, we talk and listen to one another, offering constructive feedback on how we can improve and enhance our relationship with ourselves, cultivating love and acceptance always.
Family
Family relationships vary from person to person, and while one individual may have healthy, happy relationships with their parents and siblings, another may come from a broken home with unsupportive relatives. With both perspectives available, we look at where, how and why our family relationships affect the way we think and act as individuals.
God
Some people may have never thought about a relationship with God. At Brazos Recovery, we invite our residents to welcome the God of their understanding into their lives and develop closer contact with that Power. We discuss how God has been working in our lives, and what is being said to us, and we inspire one another with our positive experiences. We also answer questions and encourage one another to ask more.
Trauma
Poor childhood relationships can affect how we build relationships as adults, and we offer our residents a safe space to talk about their trauma.
Rejection
We look at why past romantic relationships could have failed and how we can do things differently in the future.
Loss
Sometimes relationships end unexpectedly. We talk about the loss of relationships through the tragedy of death, changes in life, friends who drift apart, or loved ones who move to different parts of the world.
Within this group setting, we spend time talking deeply about our thoughts, feelings, and relationships – something that is also known as Group Psychoanalytic Therapy. In essence, it is a process of talking with one or more people to bring deeply suppressed or otherwise buried thoughts to the surface for examination.
How we behave, for example, why we have cravings for alcohol or drugs, can sometimes be explained by past traumas or failed relationships. Together we look at individual circumstances and how our experiences shape our beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors. Often, by simply participating in this kind of therapy, it allows our residents to adopt a whole new perspective and mindset, they might never have otherwise considered – which is a fantastic step towards recovery. Through consistent attendance and perseverance, many residents develop deeper relationships with one another through listening to each other’s stories, examining their own experiences, and finding solutions to problems.
You may not have problems with relationships, but there is still plenty to benefit from by joining this group. Discovering more about yourself, helping others, and building lasting friendships with other members are just a few of the reasons to immerse yourself in this environment. We encourage all our residents to give it a go.
Research shows that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is a powerful driver of change, rather than the solution offered, and we believe this goes for our relationships group too.
Many of our group members build lifetime bonds with one another that have incredible healing benefits. And while there is an archaic societal view that men should suppress their feelings, now more than ever, men are encouraged to talk about how they feel and engage in more meaningful relationships.
At Brazos Recovery, we are always open and always happy to welcome new faces to our relationships group.