Lasting Recovery – A Strong Support System Is Essential
Every stage of recovery has its challenges. By having a positive support system, you can reap many benefits. Not only will having support help you avoid relapse by helping you cope with stress and triggers, but it can also promote a greater sense of well-being and empower you to continue on the path of recovery.
With a positive support system, those around you can help you look forward to a healthier lifestyle, and keep you focused on recovery as you learn how to avoid triggers. Your system is also about peer influence—the positive kind, where your supporters encourage healthy behaviors and making healthy decisions.
Recovery can include experiencing a variety of emotions, many of which can trigger a relapse. A strong support network can give you a healthy place to turn to. Instead of using drugs, your network can help you find healthy and constructive ways to deal with what you are feeling.
If substance abuse has isolated you from family and former friends, finding people who will support you in your recovery can seem difficult or impossible. However, the reality is that there are many people who will be willing to. The first thing to do will be to figure out who you need in your support system.
Your next step will be to find someone you want to include in your system and be specific about what you want from them when you ask. If you’ve identified what you need, this will be a bit easier to do.
