There are a lot of stigmas about addiction that keep people from seeking help. If you don’t know (or think you don’t know) any sober people, those stigmas have room to grow. When you speak to a person in recovery, it challenges preconceived ideas about what addiction or sobriety looks like.
Sponsors
In 12-step fellowships, you typically find a sponsor. This is someone who has more time in recovery than you do who can guide you through the steps. The tradition underscores the importance of learning from other sober people. Even if 12-step recovery is not the route you take, there is nothing like other sober people to remind you what is possible in recovery.
Learning From Others in Recovery
When I first got sober, I only had three close people in my life who had ever been in recovery. One had relapsed and was currently using, one was a family member I didn’t speak to much, and one was a friend I had distanced myself from in the last years of active addiction.
Now, I keep in close contact with all three of them, and several other people in my life have since gotten sober. As such, some of the sober people I know have more time in recovery than I do, and some have less. I have something to learn from all of them.
While no two experiences are alike, I can share difficult feelings with other people in recovery and they may have a way of coping that I hadn’t considered. I can do the same for them. They can offer a different perspective on problems I’m having, but still come at it with a strong understanding of recovery. We can celebrate each others’ milestones with a firsthand understanding of how big a deal they are.
Examples of the Possibilities
Sober role models can give us ideas for how to live our own lives. If you find yourself envious of a friend in recovery, try to reframe the situation; they are a positive example of something you too can work towards. It can help to be open about your feelings; you might talk about what they have that you want, and they can tell you how they achieved it. While you might not reach the exact same goal, it can provide some insight and encouragement.
It’s important for people in early sobriety to see people living full, sober lives. It breaks myths and provides examples of how wonderful life in recovery can be.
If you are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, there is hope. TruHealing Centers offers high-quality treatment for addiction and mental health disorders in facilities across the country. Our staff—many of whom are in recovery themselves—will use their personal and professional experience to help you build a great sober life. To learn more, call an admissions specialist at 410-593-0005.
