Recovery Support: Community, Self-Care, and Tools for Staying Sober

Recovery is an ongoing process of supporting oneself to live a life free from addictive substances. While we often see one-note portrayals of recovery in media, both addiction and recovery can look many different ways. Just as we are all unique individuals, everyone’s experience of recovery can look different, depending on their lifestyle, the identities they hold, and their interests. 

But while everyone is distinct, whether you’re struggling with addiction or simply want to take a break from a substance to evaluate your relationship to it, there are some key areas that it is important to focus on:  

• Seek community: Head to a recovery meeting! There are many different types to choose between, from AA to NA to SMART meetings and meetings for LGBTQIA+ people and Women of Color. Try out a few that resonate with you to find which ones feel most welcoming and work within your schedule and lifestyle. Many modalities host free virtual meetings so you can find community from the comfort of your home. Being around others going through what you are can be a huge support to your recovery.
• Support your body: As your body recovers from drug or alcohol use, you may find yourself needing lots of body care. Get lots of rest, eat nourishing foods, and stay hydrated. Try out breathwork, a new movement practice, or add some stretch breaks to your routine. It all goes a long way toward helping your body heal. 
• Support your mind: Addiction was once a taboo topic, but many experts and those with lived experience of addiction are working hard to break the stigma. Simply type “recovery” into the podcast app, bookseller, or social media app of your choice to find content that resonates with you. Free apps like Insight Timer also have a variety of addiction-focused meditation options to support your recovery journey. 
• Curate your environment: When we’re trying to stop using substances, our environment plays a huge role in navigating cravings successfully. Think about when you most want to use (Passing the liquor store on the way home from work? When you’re on a tight deadline at work? With a particular person or group?) and create a game plan for navigating those triggers. Maybe you attend a recovery meeting, cue up a meditation, or go for a walk. Maybe you turn down the social event or take a different route home from work. And when you make it through a craving, be sure to celebrate that win! 

Recovery can feel like a heavy topic and involves a lot of work and practice. But it can also be joyful, inviting you back to parts of yourself you thought you lost. We want you to know that there is light on the other side, and you don’t have to do this alone.