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Doing More Than Just Saying “Sorry”: Mending Relationships in Recovery
Mar 3, 2021
Addiction can often cause you to act in ways that you later regret; this includes hurting yourself and others. These regrets might also range from minor instances to more severe regrets. Working to repair relationships with yourself and others is among the most common reasons many people seek help. While the process of early recovery is challenging, among these challenges is finding out that you have quite a few apologies to make.
How Do I Set Boundaries With Friends and Family?
Mar 3, 2021
Boundaries are a set of personal rules that one establishes with another or a group of people. When these boundaries are crossed, they can allow one party to take action with good reason. In early recovery, boundaries help to shape how an individual gets treated during this time. In friendships, this could mean not pressuring them to attend social occasions where there will be drinking and other substances. The rules can change depending on the person; they might vary within the same person as they progress and become more resilient in recovery.
How to Gain the Trust of Your Loved Ones
Dec 11, 2020
Before you began walking the path of recovery, you might have damaged personal relationships in your life. If you care to repair them, it’s crucial that you show the people in your life that you have changed. Although it can be an excellent first step, telling them that you have changed may not be enough. The people in your life are going to want to see that you are a different person. Learning how to take steps in the right direction can help you in repairing damaged relationships.
How Can a Sober Mentor Help Me?
Dec 7, 2020
For sobriety to be long term, you have to honestly want it for yourself. Sobriety is not something that can be forced upon you by someone else in your life. The maintenance necessary to remain sober takes a lot of time and a countless amount of effort. After you make the conscious decision to recover, everything else will follow. Sobriety is like the fit body that people want. The first thing you do when you want to become fit is to go to the gym or attempt to eat right on your own. Afterward, people may get a trainer or nutritionist. That’s where a mentor comes in. Ultimately, you have to do the heavy lifting, but your mentor provides encouragement and guidance through your recovery journey.
Balancing Roles as Both Peer and Role Model as an Alumnus
Nov 24, 2020
After completing a recovery transformation, many alumni go on to give back to the community that has helped them work towards their goals. However, joining an alumni program and continuing to share in one’s journey through sobriety can be a stressful venture. Someone may feel torn on balancing their position as a role model for those just beginning their recovery and establishing themselves as a peer. While these roles can seem to stand in stark contrast to each other, balancing these approaches can help someone continue their healthy lifestyle while giving back to their recovery community through an effective alumni program.
How Can I Bring Up the Topic of Addiction?
Nov 10, 2020
Talking about addiction, whether it be in regards to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or shopping, always comes with an air of fragility. It can be a very emotional and tense conversation, as someone may feel they have to tiptoe around every word they use. However, bringing up an addiction can become unavoidable when trying to help those who may be struggling. These fragile but necessary conversations can be difficult. However, conducting the conversation in a safe and equal way can make all the difference in making oneself out as genuine, caring support through such a difficult time.
Is It Okay to Seek Help for Myself When a Loved One is in Recovery?
Nov 8, 2020
Having a loved one in recovery can be difficult for individuals and families alike. Being a support system can be stressful, especially when thinking about the difficulties a loved one may face in recovery. Between worrying about their wellbeing, preparing for the life changes that come with sobriety, and trying to rebuild trust in relationships with those in recovery, stress can be constant. As a loved one of someone in recovery, it can be imperative to get help for oneself. There are numerous resources available for everyone involved in the recovery process. Whether someone is reaching for their sobriety or supporting a loved one in their journey, help may be necessary to cope with the intense stress and change.
Romanticizing the Drink
Nov 7, 2020
Looking back to the past to help transform the future is a significant part of the recovery process. While those who have been through a recovery program may have internalized the detrimental effects that their drinking may have had on their lives, looking back can also cause someone to romanticize drinking. Culture and advertisements can all play a part in someone beginning to change their views on drinking, even after maintaining their sobriety for a long time. However, addiction is a lifelong disease, and romanticizing alcohol can compromise much of the work that someone has accomplished. Identifying how someone can start romanticizing their time with the alcohol and how to remind someone of the dangers it presents can aid in each person’s continuous battle in their recovery.