Look in the mirror, you must begin with that. Build from there; outward. You must build that community as though a recruiter would build a team.
What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t have a recovery community?
If you do not have a recovery community and feel the need for that support, then you have some work ahead of you! Thats OK, because YOU are capable and you’re going to need to stay busy, especially in the beginning. Ask yourself: what do I want and need my recovery community to be? And then, create that. Do you need accountability? Then go to sober living! Do you need Spirtuality? Then go to Nature! Do you need religion? Then go to Church! Do you need God? Then go where you know to find God! If you do not know where God can be found, start with Church and go from there. Not a service or a mass, just to a Church. Go and sit, just be quiet, still, and sit. God will show up in time, I promise this. AA will always be there, though if you find yourself lost, ask yourself those questions and do those things. From that your recovery community will manefest itself, into what is needed. YOU are capable and deserving. If you lead recovery with love, patience, and persistence, YOU will win! If you find yourself lost, it’s not easy to hear, but do all the above again (persistence). If you find yourself frustrated, because you have been persistent, then be patient. If you find yourself angry because you have been persistently patient, then love. Love yourself enough to never give up. If you do not love yourself, then know, like it or not, many love YOU; we can be “blind” in many ways. So if not for yourself, carry on through recovery for them. Any and all of this will lead you to love yourself in the end. Its an amazing journey, an adventure that lasts!
People would say things like “be in the moment” and “one day at a time” and that never made any sense to me. I can honestly say that I’ve learned how to do those things today.
In the first six months of sobriety I have restored my relationships with my family and friends, fallen in love with my sober partner, thrived in my career and gotten plugged back in with communities I enjoyed before my addiction.
My passion for reading has turned into a wonderful opportunity of reading for a network that helps others. I am now two years into my volunteer work and absolutely love it!
Recovery thrives in community. Whether you’re seeking help, supporting a loved one, or celebrating life in recovery, we’d love to connect with you. Follow our social media channels, attend an event, or simply reach out—we’re here for you 24/7 at (800) 544-5101.
