Earlier this year, Huseyin wrote a series of 40 articles which he called the Lent Blog. These articles were all related in some way or other to recovery. They ranged from ‘Staying motivated’, to ‘Strategies for overcoming feelings of shame and stigma’, and ‘Cultivating empathy’. Here is one of Huseyin’s articles, ‘The role of community’.
‘At Towards Recovery, we offer a simple “in” for people seeking to initiate recovery. We run a regular recovery café and provide “touch points” for people to engage with us e.g., like the recovery café, which is in-person and online, various programmes and courses, clubs (like Strava, books, films, talks), a podcast about recovery journeys and a book of reflections and daily invitations.
All of these “touch points” make recovery visible to those that might be seeking help and are unsure how to go about it, and are unclear about what help might look like. Making recovery visible allows people to see it and decide whether they want to connect to it, and with us.
Our approach to community is one example but there are many others if you seek them out e.g., 12-step fellowships, Smart Recovery, faith-based recovery (in a variety of faiths), and recovery for families. However you manage it, being part of a recovery community opens up possibilities and helps with developing a positive social network to support you on your recovery journey
A recovery community provides you with a network of people who understand what you’re going through, are able to offer support, and help you stay on track.
Some of the benefits of being part of a recovery community and developing a positive social network include:
1. Emotional support:
Recovery can be an emotional journey, and having a community of people who understand what you’re going through can provide a sense of comfort and support. Knowing that you are not alone and that others have successfully navigated similar challenges can be a powerful motivator.
2. Accountability:
A recovery community can help hold individuals accountable for their actions and help them stay on track with their recovery goals. Knowing that others are rooting for you can be a powerful motivator to stay sober and committed to your recovery.
3. Positive role models:
Being part of a recovery community provides individuals with access to positive role models who have successfully navigated the challenges of addiction recovery. Seeing others who have successfully achieved and maintained sobriety can be a powerful source of inspiration and motivation.
4. Opportunities for social connection:
Addiction can be an isolating experience, and recovery can be an opportunity to rebuild connections with others. A recovery community provides individuals with opportunities to connect with others who share their interests and values or maybe widen their circle of friends.
5. Reduces stigma:
Addiction can be stigmatizing, and individuals in recovery can face judgment and discrimination. Being part of a supportive community can help reduce stigma and promote understanding.
6. Access to resources:
A strong recovery community can provide individuals with access to resources such as support groups, counselling services, and educational materials. These resources can help individuals develop the skills and tools they need to maintain their sobriety.
In conclusion, community support is a crucial component of addiction recovery. By providing a sense of belonging, emotional support, accountability, guidance, reducing stigma, and access to resources, community support can help individuals maintain their commitment to recovery and achieve lasting sobriety.