Giving Back: Learning How to Give Back to the Community After Addiction Recovery

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

Addictions are all consuming diseases that often isolate individuals from society, their community, families, and loved one. Addictions also drive a hyper-focus on a particular need, such as obtaining a substance or achieving a high.

When struggling with an addiction and suffering with the many consequences involved, a person if often debilitated and handicapped from living their life to their fullest potential. Addictions not only affect physicality but also mentality and spirituality, each aspect that makes a person live and thrive.

Losing the Burden of Addiction, Gaining a Community

Recovery is about regaining your ability to live without the burden or pressure of an addictive lifestyle. Perhaps one of the most freeing aspects of recovery is the potential that is regained, to contribute as a functioning member of the community and society once more.

If you or your loved one has been struggling with an addiction and is now living in recovery, consider how you are reintegrating in society and the impact you are able to make on others. While living in addiction, so much time, effort, money, and energy is spent on the addictive behaviors, the lifestyle. Consider the productivity you man have if the same amount of resources are poured into something you care about, something that you might be passionate about.

Filling Your Life with Positivity

Perhaps you are unsure about how you want to spend your time, now that you are in recovery. It is likely that recovery may, in some sense, leave a void in your life, as the things you once invested in are no longer present.

team-386673_640Learning how to fill your life with positivity and rebuild yourself into the person you want to be is an essential component of recovery, one that takes commitment and dedication to the process.

How to Get Involved in Your Community

Getting involved with your community are basic ways in which you can begin to give back to society. Simply taking some time to volunteer in local community activities, such as a food drive, soup kitchen, beach/park clean-up, community garden, etc. can help you dedicated your time in a fruitful manner.

By giving back you your community, you will also find fulfillment and satisfaction that no drug or alcohol addiction could have ever given. You have much to offer, and being in recovery from addiction can lead you to endless possibilities.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are ways in which you could give back to your community?

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 1st, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com