Building a Supportive Sober Network: Friends, Family, and Community
By

Knowing what you need will make it easier to recognize who should be a part of your support network. And If you’re someone that wants to see less alcohol at work – use your voice! Let managers know how the presence of alcohol at work or work-related activities makes you feel.

sober networking

For example, if you used to do drugs with a group of friends, these friends who are still abusing drugs themselves should not be part of your sober support network as they can increase your risk of relapsing. Through our programs, you or your loved one have opportunities to form meaningful, sober networking lasting relationships with people who are also committed to living life in recovery. Recovery from addiction is a journey that requires determination, commitment, and support. A solid sober support network is one of the most valuable assets for recovering individuals.

Tips for Building Your Addiction Recovery Support Network

A study from Substance Abuse indicates that having support from others can improve a person’s chances of engaging in and completing detox and treatment for addiction. These are only a few of the signs that may indicate a substance use disorder. A licensed clinician uses this criteria—and more—to determine the likelihood and severity of a substance use disorder and formulate a treatment plan.

Your first instinct might be to make friends with everyone who comes your way, but this is not always the best idea. Remember, it’s not always easy to make friends – and oftentimes it’s much more difficult to make lifelong friends. The reality is that people who struggle with addiction are just normal people. However, many people do not recognize this until they have a chance to connect with those who have already overcome an addiction. One of the easiest ways to do this is to build a healthy support network and to open up about your past experiences.

LifeRing

Just be sure to establish boundaries, such as asking them to not drink in front of you or not ask you to go to bars with them. Because most members of your support network will likely be learning how to support someone in recovery for the first time, they will need to know when they doing things correctly. Always recognize the people you have asked to support you when they behave in a manner that is helpful to you or when they otherwise https://ecosoberhouse.com/ make you feel valued and encouraged as you navigate your recovery. Sometimes, a quick thank you may be enough while at other times you may wish to communicate in greater detail how the individual helped and supported you. Many addicts burn bridges throughout the course of their addiction. If you have damaged a relationship that was positive and healthy prior to your substance abuse, you may be able to repair the relationship.

  • Your sober network may also include your counselors or coaches that specialize in recovery and sober allies in your family, friend group or workplace.
  • The goal of Sober in Cyber is to provide a welcoming space where sober individuals who work in cybersecurity can grow together as a community.
  • Humans are innately social creatures that need to be around other people that share the same goals and interests.
  • If you’re a student, it’s likely that your school or university has special programs available for people who struggle with substance abuse and addiction.
  • Addiction counselors report that substance abuse often begins when people use drugs or alcohol to enable them to socialize more easily.

Wherever you’re at in your recovery, you can join like-minded peers at in-person or online group meetings. Find these people in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or other 12-step groups. SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Recovery Dharma are other orgs that run meetings. They have felt, or are feeling, the complex experiences of early recovery.