800-819-2978
Who Answers?The Importance of Giving Back
Once you’ve started on the road to recovery, you may find yourself wanting to give back. Not only is a fundamental aspect of the 12 steps, but many feel as though it’s a way to pay it forward.
Here are some of the reasons giving back is so important in recovery.
Spreading Hope
When in the throes of addiction, you feel hopeless, and that hopelessness keeps you down. But once you’ve seen the light of recovery, you know there is hope. And you know that hope helps lead the way to sobriety. By spreading hope, you remind others that there is a way out and that things can get better.
Here are different ways you can spread hope to those still suffering from addiction.
- Share your experience during 12 step meetings
- Volunteer at a local drug and alcohol treatment center
- Be active at sober events
- Reach out to newcomers in 12 step meetings
Staying Connected
You can give back by volunteering your time to a cause that’s important to you.
It doesn’t matter how strong your recovery, everyone’s at risk of relapse if they don’t stay connected and begin to isolate themselves. Don’t let that happen by staying in touch both with people in the Rooms and people outside them.
By volunteering and being active at meetings, you stay connected and protect your own sobriety. If you would rather volunteer outside the 12 step program, hospitals, food banks, churches, and veterans organizations are always looking for volunteers.
If you’re struggling to get sober, and are ready to for a life in recovery, call 800-781-0748 (Who Answers?) to find help immediately.
Here are ways you can stay connected to others and your own recovery.
- Volunteer at meetings for set up and tear down
- Speak and share at meetings
- Sponsor newcomers to the Rooms
Dealing with Baggage
Everyone has baggage, but when you’re a recovering alcoholic or addict, sometimes that baggage is heavy. But when you give back, it helps you deal with it, and makes you feel as though you’re balancing out your proverbial scales. While you can’t fix the negative things you’ve done in the past, you can do positive things now and in the future to set things right.
- Help those new to recovery find their own path and support their successes
- Help addicts and alcoholics get into treatment
- Do what you can to improve relationships with those you’ve hurt due to your addiction
- Apologize to your family and friends for any wrong doing
Looking for Other Ways to Give Back?
If you’re looking for other ways to give back, here are a few ideas.
- Help others find gratitude in their life
- Work on improving yourself
- Donate what you can to help the causes you care about, whether it’s time, money, or materials
- Offer advice when you can
Are You Ready for Recovery?
If you’re ready for recovery, but don’t know where to start, call 800-781-0748 (Who Answers?) today. You’ll find the help you need immediately and get started on your way to a life of sobriety.