We’ve all heard it before – it takes a village. For people entering into recovery, it is important to develop and maintain a strong support system. Recent research has shown that in order to reach and maintain substance use abstinence, it is important to maintain positive relationships and to engage self-agency to protect yourself from the influences of negative relationships. It might feel difficult to distance yourself from old friends, and develop new relationships, but there are many great places to get started!
People in recovery all over the country have developed groups to build community and support one another through recovery. Some groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, have an explicit focus on recovery, while others are structured as informal social gatherings. Check out these resources to learn more and find places to get started:
Explore: Visit this website to learn more about the role that building community plays in promoting recovery
Watch: Hear Rachel Wurzman talk about how social isolation contributes to relapse and overdose rates and reveal how meaningful human connection can offer a potentially powerful source of motivation for recovery.
Practice: Ready to take steps to develop your recovery community? Check out these organizations for ideas of where to get started
Sober Mom Squad: The Sober Mom Squad began during COVID-19 as a way to offer support to women who are sober and now find themselves overloaded with life’s challenges. There is a weekly support call that is free, as well as a new membership program that offers more virtual meetings, a community forum, group coaching, and more. If you’re a sober mom in need of help and extra support, this may just be the place for you.
The Phoenix creates sober spaces designed for people in recovery to get active and forge community together. This program focuses on fostering human connection through mental, physical, and spiritual fitness as a way to rebuild bodies and spirits following substance use.
Consider Spirituality
Finding, returning to, or leaning into faith and spirituality in recovery can be a great way to find resilience and healing. There is evidence that finding connection and forgiveness via these communities or personal practice can improve recovery outcomes. See below for a few resources to explore:
Recovery & Spirituality Research – learn about how faith and spirituality can play a role in recovery for the people to whom that is important.
What is Spirituality – faith and spirituality can look very different for different people, explore what it could mean for you.
Journaling Prompts
Describe the qualities of a good friendship. Then look back over your description and notice any self-imposed rules or beliefs about friendship (those “shoulds” and “have-tos”). Question each statement you’ve written about “good” friendship — is that statement 100% true? Write about how it feels to question these statements.
With whom do you choose to spend your time? How does spending time with them make you feel?
How often do you get together in person with your close friends? What do you do together? How do these activities build and nurture your relationships?
Make a list of your interests and hobbies. Then explore what’s available in your community — local groups you could join that share these interests, volunteering, etc.
What are the best qualities of the friends you have? Write a paragraph for each person reflecting on these qualities.