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The importance of community in recovery cannot be understated. Having others around who can understand and relate to all of the trials that someone is going through in recovery can be a motivating and inspirational experience. However, not all communities are the same. It is important to find a recovery community that works for each individual and explore what beneficial recovery communities look like. Finding out how one’s individuality fits into the community identity is important to establish an important relationship between someone and their own community. Having others who understand is just the first aspect, but having a supportive group of people who then also accept and work together towards a larger goal can be the most influential aspect of one’s time in recovery.
The Importance of Finding Community
Finding a group or community in recovery, especially during the early phases, can help someone begin to find their footing in their own journey to sobriety and healing. Despite if someone is attending detox for the first time, living at a sober living or transitional housing facility, or are an alumnus living on their own, there will always be a need for community in establishing social skills and overall structure. Communities can help those who attend their functions begin to learn how to partake in certain traditions or celebrations, learn interpersonal skills in a safe environment of like-minded individuals, and even help someone begin to define what their norms or accepted practices will look like in their own new world of sobriety. Community can help provide structure and a sense of belonging at a time when someone may feel lost in their recovery, or who are just beginning to visualize what their new future will look like. Not only can all these skills be practiced in a safe environment, but the constant safety net and acceptance of others can also give someone the courage and security to try new therapeutic practices or be more open to addressing their vulnerabilities due to the support of a community.
Traits of an Effective Recovery Community
Not all communities are going to operate in the same way. While some may have varying goals or focuses, others are more defined by the sum of the people in their community. Finding a recovery community that is right for any one individual may take some time, and involves looking at each community for what they offer. For START UP’s Patricia Meyers, it is the goal of START UP RECOVERY “to be the gold standard of transitional living,” which means providing extensive support and a welcoming environment for those seeking community.
First and foremost, recovery communities should take themselves seriously. While this doesn’t mean that there can’t be much fun to be had alongside others in a particular community, it does mean that recovery, healing, and promoting a healthy, long-term lifestyle all need to be pursued in a serious manner. This may involve addressing individuals who may present a risk to the community if they are not wholly committed to the recovery process. Such individuals can compromise progress, and introduce extra hurdles that are not conducive to the recovery of others. Recovery communities need to be focused on their own best practices for recovery and pursue this mission with intent.
Recovery communities are also supportive and meant to challenge their members to continue progressing and strengthening their own skills. They provide an atmosphere where someone is not just invited to express their vulnerabilities in a safe place with genuine concern but are also invited to challenge their own notions that may accompany them through the recovery process. This means providing an atmosphere where someone can feel comfortable in confiding in others about their own shame, guilt, or resentment while also feeling free to express their personal goals and ideas. While challenging its members may not always be comfortable, the communities that support each individual should be ready to jump in and help each member feel accepted for who they are and the legitimacy of their experience.
Take the Time to Explore
There is no rush in recovery, and finding the right community for each person may take some time. It is important to put oneself first, and know that when someone is putting their whole self into recovery, their community will put in just as much with them. It is okay to constantly evaluate one’s place in a community, and how it is objectively affecting one’s own recovery path.
Consider these questions so you can better understand where you fit in your community:
- How do I relate to my community?
- What is my role within my community?
- What keeps me engaged in my community?
- What may be keeping me separate?
- What can I do to be more engaged?
- How important is my community in my life?
These questions can help each person understand where they fit in with their communities and in their own journey to healing, as well as what work they still need to do. Constantly exploring one’s relationship with their own recovery community can help them find the group that will continue to impact them far beyond when the program ends, and create potentially life-long support systems even when someone graduates to an alumnus and beyond. A community is a collection of individuals who champion each others’ individuality while sharing one common goal, and while finding the right community may take time, it can also make the difference in one’s whole recovery journey.
Finding an effective recovery community can make all the difference in recovery from addiction or mental illness. If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, or mental health disorders, START UP RECOVERY can help you find your most effective recovery community today. With a strong sense of fellowship and a vast array of recovery support options available, START UP RECOVERY helps all its residents balance the line between feeling part of an effective community while still exercising their own individuality. Each of their programs can be adjusted to fit your needs and goals in recovery, and the warm, luxurious atmosphere of our unique community nestled in the heart of westside Los Angeles is constantly helping each person feel the comfort and support they need while confronting their own vulnerabilities. For more information on how START UP RECOVERY can help you, or to speak to a trained staff member about your unique circumstance, call today at (310) 773-3809.