If you or a loved one is going through an addiction, no matter what it is or what the drug is about – there are few things in the world that are as bad as being alone. When there is no presence of help, or anyone willing to support you to stop, you remain chained to that addiction, and we all know by this point how hard it is to fight addictions. When you are working with someone to overcome it however, it is easier to get your path to becoming sober.
In fact, statistics from the NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) will prove the above statement. People who struggle with problems from substance abuse and live in a collaborative house setting tend to have the addiction dealt with more effectively and quickly, compared to abusers that live alone or who are not in a rehab facility.
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Why community is important
You are most likely familiar with the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a man.’ It is commonly used to refer to raising a child to be a responsible adult, but it can also apply to raising any person to be a human. When you are a part of a community, no matter how small your role may seem to be, it gives you a sense of belonging and purpose.
As a human being, you recognize that it is difficult to look at yourself or examine flaws in your general state – with your eyes being the position they are, you cannot get a clear view of how you look. Instead of using them, you will turn to a mirror and examine how you look.
That is the exact principle explaining the importance of having other people in your life. When you are by yourself, it is not easy to see the behaviors and characteristics of yourself that may push people away – but the people who are close to you can see it. They are honest enough with you to tell you where you are failing, and they act as your mirror – therefore, making you a better person in general.
Honesty is always the best policy to follow, and it breeds trust. In addiction management and recovery, it is important to know as much as you can about yourself, which will help you to find better ways of coping and changing your drug addiction habits.
When you find the right people to surround yourself with, and you know that they care about your wellbeing, it will be easier to achieve sobriety from drugs. You can also count on them to assist you in case the temptation arises to fall into a relapse again, and they will encourage you to break your addictive habits.
Some professional support systems include social workers, psychiatrists, doctors, and psychologists. All these people will help you to deal with not only the medical and health issues you have from drug abuse, but also any psychological and mental problems you may be facing – as these are instigators of drug abuse in most cases.
Early recovery
When you are beginning your recovery process, it is best to avoid any social situations or parties that are likely to lead you into tempting situations of drug use or alcohol consumption.
A common aspect of regaining sobriety therefore begins with pulling out of your friend groups that encouraged that lifestyle, as well as places that act as triggers to relapse vulnerability.
As a recovering addict, a major lesson you need to learn is how to live life on your terms, which means that you need to learn how to form meaningful relationships that promote your wellbeing. When you begin to pull out of unhealthy relationships, you must replace them with something meaningful – support as well as fellowship in safe environs.
You can find wholesome communities in various places – could be in your workplace, school, family, or church, but you need to make sure the people you hang out with are all sober. They will likely provide much of the insight and support that you require during vulnerable times such as withdrawal from heroin.
Dealing with later recovery problems
The possibilities of future relapses will reduce significantly when you have a solid foundation in your life – meaning you are confident about your place, as well as the place of others. That does not mean that you do not have boundaries in your life. No matter what other people say, you recognize that your life is worth living, and you should look forward to better things.
This is particularly important as time passes and your interest and ability to stay away from the drugs that were causing you harm becomes an issue. In this case, accountability to others is very important to help you stay in check.
Learning to enjoy life
Drug addiction and early sobriety presents a challenge for recovering addicts – many of your activities revolve around using drugs to get a ‘high’, and you do not know how to enjoy yourself without them. In fact, the initial attempts at socializing with others while you are sober seems strange and awkward, and you may wonder how they do it.
However, before long, you start to reap the advantages of staying sober because socializing encourages participation in group activities – such as camps, hiking, exercising, long walks, meaningful conversations, and sharing meals. Those sessions of deep friendships that you form through spending time with sober friends teaches you to experience life in a different way – and that will enhance your journey to recovery.
Teaching the importance of giving back
Community involvement teaches you to give back to others as well. Because your peers and friends are holding you accountable for your actions, it is easier for you to maintain your sobriety.
When you are able to serve your community, it gives you a greater sense of belonging and purpose, teaching you that there are bigger issues in your community to take care of. When you share your experiences with people around you, you bring hope to them as well, as that becomes a great gift to you and others.
Final thoughts
Addiction is difficult to battle if you are doing it alone – but you do not need to. When you find people who are willing to support you on your journey, it becomes easier for you, and it helps you stay accountable to your goals.
