Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction has many facets, and there are many roads to travel while trying to overcome an addiction. Not all roads will lead to success, but perseverance, dedication, and a good support network will lead to sobriety. There will be many roadblocks and pitfalls on your way to getting clean and sober. One major thing to bear in mind about substance abuse recovery is that you can’t successfully navigate the road to recovery alone. You need help and support. There are many elements of a support group, but there are three elements of a successful recovery support network that are essential to your success at reaching sobriety.
While you and your inner demons will fight most of the battle for overcoming a drug or alcohol addiction, a victory will depend on the forces you have fighting the battle with you. To win, you need the help of people who will stand with you and help you during difficult trials and temptations. A successful recovery support network is more than family members hoping you’ll stay in recovery or a group of friends telling you not to have that drink after work. A positive and successful recovery network has a strong foundation that you can rely on when your sobriety is at risk or when you’re on the verge of falling into old behaviors.
Looking at the Three Key Elements of a Successful Recovery Network
When establishing a recovery network, you have to consider your personal needs, faults, strengths, and weaknesses. If you began your journey to sobriety at a good treatment center, you should already have a good idea of where you are in your recovery and your strengths, faults, and weaknesses in relation to your addiction. Before you leave treatment and begin your aftercare, a good treatment center will help you develop a healthy and successful support network. The first key element of a successful recovery support network is a reliable and open homegroup. A homegroup is any meeting of addicts in recovery that follows the 12-step program or other recovery methods that suit your personal needs.
Some groups follow a Christian or Faith-based model of recovery, and some groups follow a more psychological approach. The key is to find a home group that works for you and one you can learn from while helping others remain sober. Your homegroup should have meetings regularly where you can engage in open and honest conversations about recovery and express your ideas, thoughts, and concerns and get honest and helpful feedback.
The second key element of a successful support network is a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who is in recovery and has years of sobriety. Find a sponsor that has at least five years of sobriety and is willing to guide you through the twelve-steps if it’s part of your recovery method. A sponsor should be available 24/7 and be ready to help you through any situation. You should talk to your sponsor daily, even if just to check in with him or her and let them know how you’re doing. A sponsor is someone you should trust and share your most intimate fears and concerns. Finding a good sponsor will take some time and effort, and you may have to change sponsors a few times until you find the perfect one for your needs. A good sponsor will significantly benefit you on your road to recovery.
The third element of a successful recovery network is family and close friends. Build a strong support group of honest and trustworthy family and friends that will be honest with you about your recovery. In the case of family and close friends, honesty is paramount. To offer real support, family members and friends must let you know when your behavior is becoming risky. If you begin to hang out with the wrong people, visit places where you used to party, engage in drinking or drugs, or begin to skip meetings and groups, your friends and family need to let you know. Sobriety is not a one-way trip. Sobriety is a journey that will last the rest of your life. You will always have to fight for it. The road will get easier, but there will always be dangers, traps, and pitfalls. The most challenging part of getting sober is taking that first step. If you’re ready to live a life free of drugs or alcohol, call us at 833-364-0736. Our counselors are here 24/7 to assist you on your journey to recovery.