AA members typically attend face-to-face meetings where members share their experiences and discuss their progress through the steps. Some of the most well-known recovery support groups are 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). If your social life primarily consisted of drinking with drinking buddies, sober network seeking the opposite might feel weird. Loosid is a community for people looking to thrive and enjoy fun events and activities while abstaining from alcohol and other substances. To make sobriety stick, find a strong support system, establish healthy routines, and set realistic goals. Stay committed to your recovery, seek help when needed, and celebrate your progress along the way.

• These measures were taken from the Important People Instrument (Zywiak, et al., 2002).
• We also include a discussion of our plans to study the community context of SLHs, which will depict how stakeholder influences support and hinder their operations and potential for expansion.
• This article will delve into the importance of a sober support network, provide actionable steps to build and maintain one and explore its transformative impact on recovery.
• You might discover that some people in your life may not be able to support you in the ways you need.

Incorporating Family and Friends

You may face challenges along the way, but combining the power of hope with practical guidance and tools, you’ll be taking steps towards better health. 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 make you feel valued and encouraged as you navigate your recovery.

Building a Sober Network: Lifeline of Support

If you’re not sure where to start, making a list of recovery organizations and groups that sound interesting to you might be a useful first step. Attending trial meetings could help you decide which groups feel right for you. However, it’s important to remember that 12-step programs are not for everyone. Some people may find the religious language at the core of AA and NA alienating. AA’s sister program Narcotics Anonymous (NA) follows the same framework, but is designed for those recovering from other substance use disorders.

Meal Planning For Recovery Boosts Health And Hope

Yes, many online platforms and forums offer opportunities to connect with individuals in recovery from around the world. You can find local support group meetings by searching online or contacting organizations like AA and NA for meeting schedules in your area. Recovering from substance use disorder takes courage and determination, and it’s important not to underestimate that as you move through the process. You can take all the time you need to build a support system that’s right for you.

How to get others to support your recovery?

Many individuals attempting to abstain from alcohol and drugs do not have access to appropriate housing that supports sustained recovery. Our study found positive longitudinal outcomes for 300 individuals living in two different types of SLHs, which suggests they might be an effective option for those in need of alcohol- and drug-free housing. Improvements were noted in alcohol and drug use, arrests, psychiatric symptoms and employment. Although criminal justice referred residents had alcohol and drug use outcomes that were similar to other residents, they had a harder time finding and keeping work and had higher rearrest rates. Areas for further research include testing innovative interventions to improve criminal justice outcomes, such as Motivational Interviewing Case Management (MICM) and examining the community context of SLHs.

Your addiction and health care professionals are people you can call when you have general questions or concerns about your sobriety and health. When you are new to recovery, you may find it challenging to determine who would be a good fit for your support network. Begin by creating a list of personal traits individuals who support your recovery should possess. Join our supportive sober community where each day becomes a step towards personal growth and lasting positive change. It may make sense for some people to attend a 12-step or formal recovery program first and then transition to a support group. But many people who have been sober for years continue to attend AA meetings.

A sober support network is a group of individuals who understand the challenges of recovery and provide emotional, psychological, and practical support throughout the journey. Sober people can meet others through recovery meetings, support groups, sober events, and online communities. Attending regular gatherings and participating in social activities designed for sober individuals can help build connections.

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Some people might choose to only use recovery support systems on a short-term basis during their active recovery. Others may incorporate recovery support systems into their lives for many years. Getting sober can be one of the most powerful decisions you can make for your health and future. Sometimes quitting alcohol means completely revamping your social life.