From the time you enter a residential drug treatment center in your community, you’ll be developing a stronger relationship with others. This is a common benefit of participating in group therapy sessions, while it may not be the focus or intent of the meetings. By sharing your thoughts with others and listening to what other members have to say, you’ll learn to communicate better with your peers. This will help you develop a more outgoing personality, so you’ll feel encouraged to participate in community events upon returning home. Even the other forms of treatment in which you participate will promote socialization skills by partnering you with other recovering addicts.
These activities will teach you the socialization skills you’ll need in working with others, so you’ll be better prepared to adapt to your roles in normal society. As alcoholism and drug addiction compels addicts to hide their substance abuse problems and withdraw from society, it’s important to learn new communication and socialization skills. The socialization skills you improve in rehab will help you upon finishing your treatment program because you’ll be faced with rebuilding a social network. You won’t be able to return to your old hangouts, and your old friends may be off limits if they’re still drinking or using drugs.
These are some of the external triggers you’ll be taught to avoid in rehab, which means you’ll have to find other ways to socialize. You can do that by getting involved in community events that are alcohol-free. Many family events are considered sober events, so you can begin by looking for “kid-friendly” community gatherings. Look to your religious or spiritual organizations for guidance. They will likely host public events that anyone can attend. Additionally, they may need volunteers to help them organize, set up, and host these events, providing a great way to get to know others involved with that religious organization. Talking with other volunteers can help you learn more about the community and may help you receive invites to other future events. If you’re not spiritual, joining community theaters, arts programs, team sports, and music events are other ways to have fun and socialize in an alcohol and drug free setting.
Giving Back to Your Community Can Help You
You should also look for a more meaningful way to get involved with your community. You can volunteer to help charitable organizations in your neighborhood, which will help you become involved with the community at large as you work towards helping others. Participating in food drives, literacy programs, or other philanthropic events can give you a rewarding feeling that helps you boost your own self-confidence. In looking for a variety opportunities to volunteer your time, you’ll be able to get more deeply involved with your community. Spending your time doing charitable work will also benefit your recovery since you’ll have less time to dwell on triggers. Those who fill their time with worthwhile activities are far less likely to relapse. Your community ties and your participation in philanthropic events will help you stay focused on healthy and clean living. You’ll find other ways to get involved in your community that are more directly related to your recovery.
One of the biggest examples of this is your continued participation in peer group sobriety meetings. Just as you participated in peer group meetings in the residential drug treatment center you attended, you’ll also be able to find meetings to join in your community. These meetings are very important in helping you stay clean and sober, but they can also help you develop healthy friendships with other recovering addicts. Your group may organize picnics and other social events, play team sports with other groups, or host alcohol-free parties to help you get to know others in your community.
The friendships you develop with other recovering addicts will help you to stay away from places and events that would otherwise serve as triggers. Instead, you can join other recovering addicts in social activities that offer fun without substance abuse. You may even end up volunteering to help other addicts, or you could get the training you need to work in a treatment center in your community. When you find work that’s enjoyable and gives you a sense of fulfillment, you’ll live a happier and healthier lifestyle for longer. If you’re ready to get the help you need to stay clean and sober, call us at 833-820-2922. Our counselors are available day and night to answer your questions about your recovery options and the intake process. This first step will help you work towards living a happier and more rewarding life in your community.