Imagine walking all alone on a rickety bridge over a deep cavern, with rapids below. Now imagine someone there with their hand outstretched to you, encouraging you and helping you to navigate the weak spots. Better, right? Now imagine an entire group of people, all with different jobs, helping and supporting you to reach the other side. Which scenario sounds best? This example highlights the power of community when you are struggling. This is why a sense of community facilitates healing in addiction recovery.
Sharing Experiences
One of the most powerful aspects of having others involved in healing is the power of their shared experiences. Substance abuse can feel so lonely, and that bond that is created when you meet someone who has been there and suffered like you builds trust and belief in healing immediately. The Journal of Health and Social Behavior wrote an article comparing studies that prove that social relationships directly benefit health.
A community can provide many shared experiences. Some with addiction, others with other challenges they have overcome, but all can inspire. Creating that bond with people from different backgrounds and different walks of life helps to support that shared human experience. Sharing experiences helps to develop faith and the knowledge that you can overcome your challenges.
Sharing Expertise
Finding those who have expertise in addiction recovery, therapy, medical doctors, and others can help save lives. These people form a team in treatment for substance abuse, combining their shared expertise to heal the individual.
Now imagine a complete community sharing their expertise: teachers tutoring to increase education, employment specialists to help you match your strengths and interests with that perfect job. Lawyers who are willing to give their time to help resolve legal issues, apartment management companies helping you find that perfect place to live. Having a great treatment center is helpful, but having an entire community behind you can help you succeed in all areas of your life. As you make more social connections, more people with positive expertise will be able to positively impact your life and learning.
Sharing Support
Developing a support network in recovery is key to avoiding relapse. You need as many people in your life to encourage and support you as you make these impressive changes in your life. Family, friends, coworkers, therapists, sponsors, others in recovery, clergy members, neighbors, clinicians, doctors, and more can create a type of network that will help to catch you when you fall.
As you create this network, think of your strengths and what you offer in return. Helping others and sharing your strengths and expertise is a great way to find value and commit to goals in recovery. As you receive help and expert opinions from others, think of how you can nourish that relationship or pay it forward.
Sharing the Burden
Support is helpful when family members help out with logistics or living costs; friends might help bring you healthy meals and other assistance. Clergy members can help offer hope and give your life meaning, whereas neighbors may help with yard work or offer to help in different ways while you are in treatment. These are all amazing ways of helping to share your burden physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Imagine the community getting involved, offering goods and services for free or at a discounted rate as you get back on your feet. They are rewarding your hard work and healing with a little help here and a little help there, all recognizing what you have accomplished. Imagine the gratitude you would feel, realizing that an entire community is willing to share your burden.
Healing as a Community
All of these are examples of how a community can come together to help the individual. All it takes is awareness, education about substance abuse, and an effort to help and support others in their healing. The good feelings are not limited to those in treatment for substance use. They also come to everyone involved. Altruism breeds happiness and hope. Joining together for a common cause helps to strengthen the community as a whole.
As those in recovery from substance abuse become stronger, they join the community and help to give back. The circle of love and understanding builds an infinite cycle of healing, trust, and gratitude, which also helps to strengthen the community. This community does not have to stop at healing from substance abuse; as a community, they can tackle anything, related or not. The beauty of healing as a community is that it brings everyone together and the needs of the individual. It is always an ideal way for any individual to find holistic healing.
The power of the individual to heal is strong. Adding a support network increases the journey of the individual and those who support them. The power of a positive community is limitless, and you can add your strengths to this community. Having a whole team that is behind you and cheering for you is even more empowering to all of them and you as well. At Rancho Milagro Recovery, we are the beginning of your support network. We can help you find support in your own life and also support from our team. Please call us today at (951) 526-4582 to find out how you can not only build a support network but also find a whole community of support to help you. Our friendly staff can help introduce you to treatment, as well as help you with resources for the community. Community support begins with your choice to enter treatment.