The short-lived highs that people seek out often come back to haunt them. In time, addiction will take a toll on the mind and body to the point it will be difficult to find space to heal without quitting. It might mean actually going to rehab and admitting a problem exists, not just quitting cold turkey. Once a person joins a rehab center and gets clean, they will need to recalibrate their lives around sobriety. A sober community is not just a group of people who do life together, they are there to lift one another up during the hard times, help them see better days ahead and strive for healthy recovery together.
Connection
The best way to connect with others is to be vulnerable. It is hard to be isolated and alone, but it is also hard to be vulnerable. It is a disconnection that can harm the soul. With sobriety, it is easier to find a community because there are many places together. It is also harder to find real, authentic connection because it takes time. It takes time to be seen, heard, and known. As people look to find a new lifestyle in recovery, they also look for new friends to bolster them. Think about gathering spaces, parties, and events where sober people get together. Also consider social networking for sober people, along with hobbies that encourage sobriety. These are all fun places to gather, connect, and find hope in recovery.
Present to Life Now
One of the hardest things to do is be present today. It is easier to think of yesterday with starry eyes and how good some of it was. The truth is, it was horrible a lot of the time. Looking too far ahead with the same starry-eyed gaze keeps you from focusing on the truth and reality of your situation. Instead of being present, you drank in the past, but have not yet coped with the reality of your feelings enough to know how to handle them. This can lead to trouble in the future. Instant gratification is transferrable, and not in a good way. Transfer addictions are a real concern. Be present now to think, build, dream, create. Don’t look for short-lived highs. Embrace hard things and the mess of it. You might just find gratitude, awe, beauty, and fulfillment that comes with an awareness of what you want here and now.
Dump Old Beliefs
A sober community can help you dump those old limiting beliefs. If you can quit alcohol or drugs, you can quit other things. It gives you confidence in your ability. You can do hard things like run a 5K or marathon in honor of your sobriety, you can create a masterpiece, or you can enjoy sobriety for the time being. You can break through barriers when friends and supporters stand next to you, believing in what you do and how you do it.
A life fully transformed by the journey of recovery means you are open to a whole-hearted experience of embracing life to the full. You set your desires, go after goals, and check-in with friends to make sure you are accountable to being fully yourself. There is no better place to be than in a gracious community of supporters who believe in you and your sobriety.
For more help on healing from addiction, come to Step in the Right Direction. Put one foot in front of the other and begin the journey today. Our therapists and staff are here to assist you in making the steps happen one day at a time. You are not alone. For more information on sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702
