Each person’s recovery journey is unique. And although the recovery experience will be different for everyone, there is a common denominator that applies to all—the need for a sober support network. While life in active addiction was often lonely, life in sobriety should not be. A sober network provides key access to the people who truly care about you successfully reaching your recovery goals. The benefits of a sober support system include:

Being surrounded by healthy people who are also committed to sobriety, and who motivate and inspire each other.

It reduces stress in the early phase of recovery when it is easy to become overwhelmed with all the changes in your life. Having a loving support community offers peace of mind, knowing they are there for you and that you are not alone.

Having people who are willing and available to listen when you are going through a rough patch can be enough to pull you through. They can guide you to a meeting, accompany you to therapy, or just sit with you.

Having people who are personally engaged in your recovery helps keep you accountable. These friends and family are emotionally invested in your recovery success, and knowing that sets up a powerful deterrent against disappointing them.

6 Ways to Build a Sober Network

Cultivate your support system carefully. Your sober network will become your first line of defense against the obstacles that challenge recovery, so be selective. Consider these 6 tips for building a solid support community:

1. Select people who are all in on your recovery. These folks will need to be available to you during both the good times and through the challenging episodes.

2. Attend recovery meetings. Recovery communities offer opportunities to meet new friends and can become sober supporters. The meetings have phone lists of those members who are open to providing recovery support when needed.

3. Get a sponsor. Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous have members who are willing to offer ongoing guidance to others in recovery. A sponsor can provide continual support, and having a sponsor helps you remain accountable to your recovery.

4. Stay connected with your therapist. Ongoing individual and group therapy sessions are an excellent source of recovery care and support. Therapists can coach you through a setback, and group sessions can offer valuable peer support.

5. Participate in sober activities. Building your sober network comes naturally through socializing. There are a variety of sober Meetup groups to check out, so find one that features a shared interest and build some new sober friendships.

6. Sober living. Not everyone has a supportive home environment to return to following rehab. In this case, sober living housing provides structure and support within a substance-free living space. Sharing responsibilities with roommates and following house rules can also increase accountability in recovery.

Creating a sober network is an intentional process. Pulling together a supportive collection of individuals who truly care about your wellbeing will help you achieve a lasting recovery.

Capo By The Sea is a luxury rehab near me in Southern California.

Author's Bio: 

By Patty Bell, Interventionist and Family Relations Manager at Capo By The Sea.