Substance use disorders, also known as drug addiction or alcohol addiction, are conditions that bring about a compulsive and repeating cycle of euphoria and craving in people’s lives. Over time, this cycle can have distressing effects on a person’s personality, behavior, and daily priorities.
But, as harmful and isolating as addiction truly is, it isn’t the end. Even among those who have relapsed in the past, lasting recoveries and healthier lifestyles are common. This is especially true of those who get help from professional addiction recovery services.
In fact, one of the best options for long-term success in recovery involves acts of service, volunteering, and philanthropy.
Helping Others In Recovery
While self-help and self-reliance are important aspects of addiction recovery, those who isolate themselves and don’t reach out to others for help tend to struggle much more than those who have a healthy and energetic support system of friends, loved ones, peers, and professionals.
The reverse is true as well. Those who use their sobriety, time, energy, and unique perspective to help and serve others (including others who have entered the recovery process) tend to be more successful in their recovery, and happier with their lives overall.
Benefits For Helpers
Those in recovery who generously and intentionally help others often report experiencing specific benefits, including:
Improved Self-Esteem
Helping others can give people the opportunity to practice empathy, build up life-skills, and feel a meaningful sense of pride and self-worth.
This can improve self-confidence and make people feel like they have more to offer with their lives, and that they have more reason to stay drug-free.
Enhanced Coping Skills
Triggers and negative feelings like anxiety, depression, hopelessness, regret, and shame are serious threats to a person’s long-term sobriety.
By connecting with others, sharing experiences, and exchanging encouragement and support, those in recovery can practice and hone their coping skills to manage these challenges.
Companionship & Connection
Human beings are social creatures, and it is important for those who are struggling to have a community and network behind them.
Helping others can foster this connection and goodwill, helping those in recovery to overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness and keep fighting without returning to alcohol abuse or drug abuse.
Less Free Time
Empty, purposeless time lends itself to relapse. Reaching out and using that time to do good in the world is one of the best ways a person in recovery can occupy themselves and avoid dwelling on cravings or succumbing to old, harmful habits.
Benefits For Others
At the same time, those in recovery who receive help from others who have gone through the same challenges often report experiencing:
Understanding & Validation
No one knows what addiction really feels like or how difficult the struggle against can be like those who have faced it in the past. By connecting and sharing with one another, those in recovery often report being really heard, understood, and validated in a unique way.
Hope & Inspiration
Likewise, those struggling with chronic drug or alcohol use may have a hard time believing that they can really overcome their cravings and recover once they leave the safety of an addiction treatment program and go back to the stress of their real lives.
But peer support and other forms of help and support can prove that recovery is possible. Testimonies from others can be incredibly reassuring and inspiring, and may even provide role models for those with a high risk of relapse to live up to.
How To Help Others In Recovery
There are countless ways to be of service in America today, including opportunities working with children, animals, adults, and other adults or teens in recovery.
You might look for nonprofit organizations in your local area, get involved in a local recovery support group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), work with local animal shelters or rescues, or explore service opportunities hosted by local churches or other religious organizations.
However, there are some important points you should consider as you move forward, especially if you are getting involved in some form of peer recovery support:
Boundaries Are Critical
While helping others can be important for building self-esteem, purpose, and positivity, you’ll want to establish healthy personal boundaries for your own personal space, time, and both your mental and emotional energy. Know your limits and know when to say no and step back.
Professional Support Matters
While 12-step programs and other peer groups have helped the lives of thousands who struggle with substance abuse and addiction, they cannot replace the proven, evidence-based services offered by professional treatment centers.
This means that it is not your responsibility to act as a therapist or to develop a treatment plan for those you interact with. It also means that you may need to explore professional treatment options for your own benefit if the need arises.
At Northeast Addictions Treatment Center, we offer expert intensive outpatient care for all alcohol and drug use disorders as well as co-occurring mental health problems. To learn more about our treatment facilities and services, please contact us today.
People Also Read:
- 5 Of The Best Online Alcohol Support Groups
- How To Find (Or Be) An Accountability Buddy For Addiction Recovery
- How To Make Sober Friends In Addiction Recovery
- Sober Companions | What They Are And When You Need One
Sources:
- Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly – Helping Others and Long-term Sobriety: Who Should I Help to Stay Sober?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Recovery Is Possible for Everyone: Understanding Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Peer support