You may be struggling with addiction or mental health issues and feel like you are not getting the support you need in your recovery. You might be thinking that no one will ever understand you or that people are too afraid to talk to you. Instead of letting your imagination run wild, try increasing your efforts to communicate your needs and goals to your peers. They may be willing to help, but just don’t understand where to start.
Reasons For Not Feeling Supported
Do you think people are not understanding of your daily obstacles? Do they make it seem like there is always an easy solution? Maybe you could be asking too much from your peers. If you want the support of people who have never gone through what you have gone through, try explaining your experience to them, and the challenges you face trying to remain sober. Hearing your stories will help people gain a fuller understanding of you and your situation. When you give a little, you often get much in return.
Expand Your Support Network
Going to the same friends to talk about the same problems may not get you anywhere if you are receiving the same answers every time. A change of perspective might be what you need. Twelve-step groups are a great place to find people whose experiences might be similar to yours and who also need someone to talk to. The internet is a great tool for finding support groups and 12-Step programs for people in addiction recovery or struggling with a similar mental illness. Seeking out such groups ensures that you will meet people that understand your struggles and can offer insights from their experiences; something your friends and relatives may not be able to. You will also gain some new friends during the process.
Remind Yourself You Are Loved
Living with mental health and substance abuse issues can be isolating and cause strain on relationships. You may go through phases when you think you are not loved. Before holding hard to that belief, take a piece of paper and make a list of all of the people in your life. Write down moments you had with each person that made you feel good and the last time they told you they love you. Use this list to remind yourself that you have more support than you think. Making sure that you have support in your recovery will make the journey much easier.
Support is an essential tool to get through the struggles of addiction and mental illness. At Alta Loma Transformational Living you will receive the support you need from our team of compassionate professionals and fellow participants who understand your experience. Our comprehensive program, located in Georgetown, Texas, will provide you with the connections that will ease your isolation and help you build the confidence to integrate back into the community. Our all male program specializes in helping men with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders achieve the emotional and psychological stability that will allow them to focus on sustainable, long-term recovery. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you or your loved one would benefit from comprehensive recovery experience that provides a continuum of care for long-term recovery, call (866) 457-3832.
