Establishing a Support Network
People entering treatment for alcohol and drug addiction are often coming from environments that allow, and even encourage, their addictive patterns. Frequently, clients do not have good emotional, spiritual, or relational support. They have very few people in their network who support their recovery or appreciate the efforts they are making to change their lifestyle. It can be a difficult task to find people who have common interests and time available. As you develop new and supportive relationships, you may run into some dead ends. The goal is to expand your network so you have four or five contacts to support your recovery program. Don’t miss out; connection and fellowship can have an enormous impact on your recovery. This lesson will help you understand the benefits of healthy support and give you practical suggestions on being a good friend, getting connected with others, and increasing your positive support network.