Building a great support network is essential for recovery. There is a huge benefit from spending time with positive people, who are living a fulfilled life without alcohol or drugs and other addictions, and who are supportive of you doing the same.
How do support networks help in recovery?
Have a support network you can rely on can give you:
- Accountability for your decisions in recovery
- Encouragement for you to stay strong and avoid relapse
- Support should you experience cravings
- People for you to share valuable experiences with in recovery
- The opportunity to help other people and support them with their own healthy life
The more you surround yourself with positive people who live a positive life, the more you will choose positive choices for yourself, and the less likely you are to choose drugs and alcohol as a means of letting off steam, curing boredom, anger and other issues which can occur in your life.
How do I build a support network in recovery?
- Connect with Support Groups
Whether you have just begun building your support network, or you are looking to meet more new people who understand your situation, meetings with others in recovery can be the perfect place to start.
If you have other parts of your life where you need support, then connecting with groups for these can also be a great place to meet like-minded people. This includes support groups for parenting, grief, and mental or physical disorders.
- Rebuild relationships with family members.
Family members are usually the people hurt most by addiction, so it can be hard to face these memories and emotions. It might feel counterintuitive to revisit these feelings when you are working hard to stay positive, but it can be helpful to continually work towards a solution. Healing like this won’t happen overnight, but it can eventually lead to strong bonds that can help with long-term sobriety.
- Go to an Exercise Class.
A regular exercise class, such as a running group or sports team will put you in contact with other people who are making healthy choices for both their mind and their body. This is better than simply remaining committed to working out routinely, as connecting with a group can motivate you to progress your health goals whilst helping you stave off loneliness.
- Remain Judicious.
You will need to think sensibly when building your support network. Remember that not every connection you make will result in a long term friendship, and not all new friends will last forever. Friendships evolve and change, and it is not a reflection of you.
You must avoid people who are actively abusing drugs or alcohol, even if they support your decisions. This can create problems, especially if you are in the early stages of recovery.
Lastly, checking in on your new friends is just as important as checking in with yourself. Identify how your new relationships make you feel, and if it is negative, you should reconsider whether you interact with that person.
If you have any questions or need further assistance in how you can build your support network in recovery, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.
