Social Life Struggles When You’re in Recovery

You may notice some changes to your social life when you are in recovery. In some cases, close friends can provide invaluable support when you’re struggling to deal with cravings and avoid relapse. At other times, certain friends may enable old addiction habits. Here are a few of the ways in which drug addiction and social life are related.

Identifying Enablers in Your Life

Unfortunately, some friends become enablers to those recently out of rehab. These friends may be using drugs or alcohol and, encouraging the people around them to also use, These unhealthy friendships are often built on shared addictions – rather than on common interests, intellectual similarities, or emotional connections. Even non-drug-using friends can be enablers if they are unsympathetic to the difficulties and importance of your sobriety. If this sounds like your friends it may be best to find a new social circle.

Avoid Hang-out Spots That May Trigger Relapse

Recovery is a lifelong journey, and relapse is often part of the process. However, there are steps you can take to avoid relapse. Knowing your triggers can be a big help. For example, running into someone who was once a drug connection, such as a person they used to buy drugs from or frequently use them with. Or if you visit a certain place that reminds them of good times spent drinking or using another substance. If these sound like triggers, it may be best to avoid those people and places.

Family Therapy

One of the most successful therapies used by rehab specialists is family counseling. In order to create healthy home lives and positive family dynamics, therapists will invite their patients’ relatives to participate in group discussions. However, some people in recovery alienate all of their close family members with their addictive behaviors.

In these cases, good friends sometimes participate in similar group therapies. They may talk about ways in which certain behaviors have impacted their own lives, and they may even help their friends formulate long-term strategies for staying sober.

Finding New Friends

To find the support necessary for lasting sobriety, those in recovery must replace their negative friendships with positive ones. They need to make friends who not only abstain from drugs – but who lead lifestyles free of dangerous or addictive behaviors. They should also attempt to reconnect with old friends they may have previously alienated during periods of active use.

Finally, support groups such as AA and NA provide excellent opportunities for addicts to meet like-minded people. Having friends who are experiencing the same difficulties can actually make sobriety struggles easier.

Recovering from addiction requires a great deal of hard work, but the rewards are well worth the sacrifices. If you or someone you love is struggling with a drug problem,  Taking back control of your life is as simple as dialing a few numbers – you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Call now.