So you’ve recently beat an addiction and are excited to declare yourself recovered. Congratulations! That’s no small feat.
Since you know how it feels to struggle with an addiction and possibly doubt yourself through recovery, you probably want to help others who are recovering from an addiction themselves. Your story and advice could be a great source of support and motivation for those who are wondering if they can ever achieve lifelong recovery from addiction.
Here are three great ways you can help other people who are currently struggling with or recovering from an addiction.
Become A Sponsor in A 12-Step Program
One of the keys to the success of 12-step programs for addiction recovery is the feeling of community. These programs are run in groups and encourage members to lean on each other for support and accountability. They also encourage members who have had success to become a sponsor, or a mentor, for newcomers to the group.
All you have to do to become a sponsor is let your group know you are ready and willing to take on sponsees. Any newcomers to the group will know they’re able to approach you for mentorship when they are ready and comfortable doing so.
There are no formal requirements or training for becoming a sponsor. All you need is patience, honesty, and understanding.
Encourage Sobriety in Your Addicted Friends
If any of your old drinking buddies or friends that use drugs are still in your life, and you believe you can be around them without being triggered, encourage them to find sobriety.
You can never force someone to receive treatment for an addiction if they don’t want to, but you can set a positive example and show them what life could look like if they stopped drinking or using.
Consider A Career Change
If you really are passionate about helping others achieve lifelong recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol, consider making it your full-time job.
There are many different avenues you can take, like leading a 12-step support group, working as a mentor in an addiction recovery center, youth work, and more. Some career avenues, like those in the healthcare sector, may require additional schooling, but many others won’t.
We’ve covered three of the more formal ways you can help other people struggling with addiction, but really the options are endless. Simply sharing your story with other people may help people without you realizing it.
The bottom line is that your unique experience battling addiction and overcoming it will be incredibly valuable in inspiring and motivating people who are still struggling.
