Sharing Your Story Benefits Everyone
Millions of people in the United States struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. If you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, sharing your story with others is beneficial not only to you but also to your listeners. By telling how your addiction impacted your life and the lives of your loved ones, you show others that recovery is possible and that they are not alone.
How Sharing Your Story Benefits You
Once a person becomes sober, the physical symptoms of alcohol or drug addiction pass rather quickly. But the psychological effects can last for a very long time. When you share your recovery story, you speed the healing of that psychological damage. Read on to learn other ways that sharing your recovery story benefits your own recovery.
Reduces Feelings of Loneliness
Sharing your story with others makes you feel like one of the group. It creates a feeling of belonging and a sense of community. Some people begin sharing their stories in rehab, 12-Step programs, or support groups. Others may share it with family or friends, or speak at a community or church function. As you tell your story, you realize that people support you and you are not alone. The feelings of loneliness so common during active addiction slowly disappear.
Helps to Regain or Boost Your Confidence
Your journey from addiction to recovery is a defining experience in your life. As you share your story, you think about what you have overcome, where you were and where you are now, and of your personal success and achievements. You realize you are a strong person who has come very far. Being able to share your story will boost your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Helps You Remember the Consequences of Your Actions
When you share your story, you are remembering the horrible details of the past. You are remembering when you were in the grip of your addiction, when you were at your worst, and the chaos and confusion you lived with every day. Perhaps you lost your family, your house, or your job. Recounting the bad things that happened as a result of your addiction helps you to stay focused on your goal of staying clean and sober.
How Sharing Your Story Benefits Others
When you share your recovery story, you are doing a service to others. Some may just be beginning their journey to recovery, and others may be dealing with unexpected cravings after long-term sobriety. Here are some of the important ways hearing your story helps them.
Provides Encouragement
Sharing your story provides encouragement to those who may be feeling lost, hopeless, or helpless. They see someone who once was where they are now. They see someone who is sober, clean, and doing well. They feel inspired to keep moving toward their goal of long-term sobriety.
Offers Hope
Sharing your story not only offers hope to others in recovery but also to their loved ones. It gives them hope that things can get better. Some people may ask you questions to help them understand their loved ones better. They may ask you how they can talk to their loved one or when you knew you needed help. Whatever you say to them, whether answering their questions, suggesting strategies, or sharing good or bad experiences, could provide potential solutions to what they are going through with their loved one.
Helps to Educate
Sharing your story helps to educate people about the truth and realities of addiction. Many people do not understand what a person addicted to drugs or alcohol goes through. Some may not know that addiction is a disease that affects the brain. Sharing your story and your knowledge helps to foster understanding and compassion surrounding substance use disorder.
Help Is Available
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to alcohol or drugs, help is available. You are not alone. At Canyon Vista Recovery Center, located in Mesa, Arizona, trained professionals are waiting to help you begin your journey down the path to recovery. Give us a call and learn how to achieve your goal of living a clean and sober life.
