Sobriety Through Service: The Transformative Power of Helping Others
Service and Sobriety
To say that the business of becoming sober takes time and commitment would be an understatement. There’s a restructuring of life that must occur; a construction of new habits, new ways of being, and new perspectives for everyday life. Pursuing sobriety means untangling the old patterns that lead back to addiction and finding clarity, rest, and accountability. And these big tasks are best done in community. As 12 Step programs often claim, “I can’t stay sober, but we can.” The truth is, without other people who are walking the same difficult path, sobriety is a battle much harder fought and won. For decades, recovery programs have recognized the key element of helping in their communities, and it’s clear that recovering addicts do better when they’re doing better for others.
Helping that Helps Back
It’s no surprise that active addicts are not typically helpful to their communities. A substance addiction often means instability or chaos, leading to the inability to be there for anyone else. In fact, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has long recognized that self-centeredness is the core of addiction.
But where there is a willing spirit for recovery, there is often an openness for service to others. Any length of sobriety can restore energy and optimism, allowing the recovering addict to remove focus from their own problems, and the encouragement that comes from abstaining can come hand in hand with a renewed effort to making other’s lives better. Therein lies a major key to healing. As it turns out, finding your own purpose and lending a hand to someone who shares your chronic illness is a major step towards healing yourself.
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It’s clear that recovering addicts do better when they’re doing better for others.
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Research shows that recovering addicts who take on a role of service during their group recovery meetings (by setting out coffee, cleaning up afterwards, putting out chairs, etc.) begin a trajectory for recovery that outpaces those who don’t practice regular acts of service. Sponsoring other recovering addicts becomes even more integral to their journey of healing. Helping a fellow addict overcome obstacles, face temptations, and figure out new daily rhythms only further restores a sense of purpose and renewed sense of commitment to sobriety. Known as “helper therapy”, the Sponsor receives the double benefit of the recovery programming and of keeping him/herself sober and available for the needs of other recovering addicts.
Giving that Keeps Going
Findings show that as a recovering addict pursues and maintains sobriety, their helpfulness at work and home increase and then level off as they find healthy practices and routines. But interestingly, the longer a recovering addict remains sober, sometimes the more helpful they become in group therapies because their stories include more years of experience and wisdom. Who better to help a newly recovering addict than one who has been walking that path for two decades? Dr. Bob, one of the co-founders of AA, wrote that when he would think about taking a drink, he saw that instinct as a sign to go help another addict. This mentality of shifting one’s own ego towards the betterment of others creates a life of giving and service and makes space for accountability and community.
Soon the one being helped is the one helping and that creates a sustainable road for recovery.
Verified Reliable Sources for the Content in This Article: The National Library of Medicine, Genesis Recovery, Soba Recovery
Put It Into Practice
Don't try to go it alone!____
Statistics tell us that somewhere near 75% of addicts will find recovery. This is such good news! But if you or someone you love is struggling with addiction right now, don’t try to go it alone. Community is key to finding and keeping help in your life. Allow yourself to be helped…that help is benefitting the helper too!
Group therapies combat dangerous isolation, offer accountability, healthier habits, and inspiration for the future. And they come in all forms! Reach out to your therapist or counselor today and get the right help you need for right now.
If you don’t yet have a therapist walking through the recovery journey with you, Contact Us. We would be honored to walk with you on the journey to recovery.
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