The Importance of Connection
Feeling unable to connect with others is a common problem in addiction recovery. Many people feel guilty or ashamed. Others don’t have a support system of family members or friends to turn to.
So, social connection becomes difficult.
But, connection remains one of the most important human needs, especially for those recovering from addiction. Feeling alone and as though you have no one on your side will make it far too easy to slip back into old habits or deny your self-worth.
If you’re struggling to feel connected to those around you or you’re worried you don’t have anywhere to turn, please know that you’re not alone. Let’s cover some of the benefits of connection throughout the recovery process and beyond, so you can take positive steps toward interacting with others in healthy, effective ways.
You’ll Stay Focused on Your Recovery
One of the most important aspects of connection throughout recovery is the focus it can provide.
It’s much harder to stick to something when you feel like you’re doing it on your own. Your expectations might be too great, or your goals too massive to reach on your own. That’s when things become overwhelming and cause you to take steps backward.
Having the right connection and the healthy people in your corner will help to hold you accountable, but that person or people will also work as a support system for you, especially when things get hard.
If you don’t have someone in your life that will step up, consider group therapy. Immersing yourself in a group of others going through recovery can be extremely eye-opening. You’ll realize you’re not the only one struggling. You’ll also realize that it’s possible to come out stronger on the other side. Substance abuse does a great job convincing you that you’re unique and not one can relate to what you're feeling and going through.
Working with a group will allow you to be vulnerable and open up about your recovery and any struggles you’re having. When you know other people have been through similar issues and truly understand what you have to say, you’re more likely to feel accepted, and trust the advice they can provide.
You’ll Improve Your Health
It’s crucial to stay healthy and practice self-care when you’re in recovery. No matter what stage you’re in, making your wellness a priority will make it easier to keep moving forward.
Staying socially connected with others will make it easier to stay healthy – in more ways than one.
Obviously, connection is crucial for your mental health. It reduces stress, can ease anxiety, and help you to feel less overwhelmed.
But, it’s just as important for your physical health. Loneliness has been linked to a variety of chronic health issues, from heart disease to high blood pressure. Isolation has even been shown to increase your mortality rate.
When you’re fighting to stay sober, the last thing you want to have to worry about is a physical health condition making it more difficult to stay on track.
Staying Connected Fills a Void
It’s not uncommon for people to use drugs and alcohol to fill some kind of void in their lives. Those who struggle with addiction often also struggle with other past issues. That includes things like trauma, abuse, or negative experiences in relationships.
Throughout recovery, you undoubtedly dug deep into what those underlying issues were, and triggers that can set them off. Now, though, spending too much time alone and isolated can cause those problems to come to the forefront of your mind again. You might start looking for ways to “fill the void” so you don’t have to think about them.
Strong connections help to put a stop to those thoughts and feelings. They fill the void for you in healthy, effective ways.
No matter what stage of recovery you’re in, connections remain important. If you’re struggling to connect with people in your life, feel free to contact me. Together, we can talk more about the benefits of group therapy, and how you can connect with others who have been through similar situations. The more you realize you’re never alone, the better.