Dealing with a problem, such as addiction, is never easy especially if you are fighting for your survival alone. It’s best to have a good support system in order to build your confidence and help you to face addiction head-on. The people in your support system will remind you that, no matter what happens, you have someone you can call and talk to, instead of spending time alone.
Your family, therapist, and friends, significant others, or fellow recovering addicts can all be a great support.
Benefits of a Strong Support System
A strong support system can act as your safeguard against everything, aside from that, they can lend their ears to you if you need someone to listen to what you are feeling or want to say. Problems such as recovering from addiction are battles that surely need a support system, some victims suffer from neglect and are an easy target for relapse. Having someone to remind them that they won’t be doing this journey on their own will help them out significantly.
Some of the benefits of a strong support system for someone who is dealing with problems and personal issues like addiction include but not limited to:
Knowing that you’re not alone or isolated.
Recovery is a process that the addict needs to go through, but that doesn’t mean they have to do it on your own. It is common for a former addict to experience breakdowns once in a while and it’s a relief when you have someone to talk and share your burdens with. They’re also great for when you’re feeling happy and want to share your happiness with someone else. People that you’re close with such as family, close friends, and therapists can help monitor your progress and act as accountability partners. They can come up with ideas you might need to hear or simply give you the comfort and security you need.
Isolation is a dangerous thing for an addict or a recovering addict to deal with. When a person feels alone, they may start to feel anxious or depressed and then seek out substances to minimize these feelings. When the effect subsides, many victims seek for it more and more. Good support could help a person limit their isolation and, thus, stop seeking substances. They will help you to overcome your need for drugs.
Reduce Stress and Depression.
We all know how stress can ruin everything, stress can be a silent killer leading to serious mental illnesses if left unchecked. For someone who is recovering from addiction, stress is a factor that can trigger a relapse. Stress can also lead to depression which is known millions of lives every year. Having someone that you can have a conversation with will slowly remove stress and relieve pressure from the mind. When you have someone you can talk to, you’ll start to change your outlook on life. A strong support system can help create a positive mindset and eliminate stress from entering.
Stress and depression are two of the common effects of substance abuse. These are common problems faced by victims of addiction. It can cause more serious diseases and complications if neglected. You don’t need to battle these kinds of demons on your own, you have to rely on your support system.
They can motivate you.
A strong support system can influence you to do what is right, even if your mind and body are against it. You have your own supporters to cheer you up every time. They are willing to devote themselves to you, cry with you, and celebrate with you. An individual who has someone to help keep themselves accountable will achieve their goal of sobriety in no time.
However, motivating someone who loses the hope of building themselves again is not an easy task. A person that acts as an accountability partner will have to overcome some serious obstacles to communicate with the recovering addict before they get really comfortable. Struggles may come and go but if you truly desire for the person’s well-being, then you will be able to support them to succeed.
Provide you a healthy environment.
For someone who undergoes recovery, one major factor of recovering is the environment. A strong support system can provide you with a healthy environment and lifestyle. You can enjoy walking and jogging around, eating healthy foods, and doing activities that are totally opposite to what you do when you were into substance abuse. It’ll also help you surround yourself with healthy individuals, creating a sort of model for how life can be outside of addiction.
You can also meet incredible people from recovery therapy sessions in treatment centers, and you can share your story with others and create an environment free of judgment and full of acceptance and understanding.
They can give you undying support.
People always forget that there is someone who is willing to be there for them during their struggles and achievements. Victims of substance abuse resist being with someone because they are afraid of judgments, and prefer to be alone. A good support system will never let you feel alone even if you say no to them, they will not force you to talk but will show you that they care through their actions. They will not show any tiredness and will support you all throughout the recovery process. Your support system will never abandon you.
Having a strong network
There is no one who keeps you accountable for your goals more than your support system. It is impossible to start and continue your recovery alone, but you’ll learn to trust your support system. They’re here to help you get better by whatever means necessary.
Each of our lives is packed with unexpected experiences. It is essential to have a strong support system that will guide you every step of the way and help support you no matter what. Recovery is not something you achieve alone; find people with whom you can trust and who supports you throughout your rehabilitation.
