One of the most important concepts within recovery is to surround yourself with positive people, places, and things. After leaving treatment, you may be searching for those positive people who will provide support in your recovery.
In treatment, you were surrounded by positive support, staff who was always there to help, and other individuals searching for their own path of recovery. These people most likely helped you find a sense of acceptance within yourself. However, after treatment, you may find yourself missing that acceptance and struggling to build positive rapport with others.
Finding people who can accept you where you are with a non-judgemental attitude can be crucial for ongoing recovery. However, you may be wondering where to obtain those familiar feelings you found in treatment. Luckily, there are various tools you can use to find positive support in recovery.
What Are You Looking For in Positive Supports?
Are there specific characteristics that you desire in positive support? Take a moment and think about what separates positive support from negative support. Once you have an idea of what exactly you are looking for, you can start your search.
It is essential that you have an idea of what you are looking for with support. Without understanding what you need, you may be blindly searching for something that you are not exactly sure of. You have to be equipped with an understanding of yourself to acquire a sense of direction.
Several questions you can ask yourself in your search for positive support include:
- Is this person trustworthy?
- Is this person kind?
- Can this person hold space for me?
- Does this person see life from a glass-half-full perspective?
When asking yourself these questions, you will get a better sense if a can be the positive support that you need within your recovery.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy can be beneficial for ongoing support after treatment. In recovery, you have the opportunity to find a therapist that best suits you and your need. You have the option of reading profiles to determine the right fit for your situation and meeting with multiple people until you find someone you like.
Individual therapy can be a tool to assist you in your recovery. Think about having a cheerleader who holds you accountable. In this space, individual therapy can provide a supportive and non-judgemental point of view that could be the missing piece of the puzzle you have been searching for.
Connection in Exercise
Exercise and exercise groups are great tools to have in recovery. Exercise can help improve mental health, and meeting with others who enjoy the same things you do can provide you with the support you need. Finding time to exercise within a group can help you connect with other individuals that can provide positive support to you.
You can research groups that meet at your local event center or beaches to join an exercise group. In your searches, you may find an activity such as yoga, meditation, or breathwork. You may even want to attend a kickboxing class or a spin class. Whatever exercise you are interested in, positive support could be waiting for you.
Follow Your Gut
You have the sixth sense, and you must follow that feeling. Your gut feeling will tell you that not every person you come in contact with will be a positive support. Go with your gut feeling. Trust it and get to know it.
Sometimes, you may experience a connection and realize that the other person was not feeling it. That is okay. That means that you are on the path to finding positive support, and perhaps that one was not perfect for you.
Be Honest With Your Friendships
The best way to cultivate positive support is to be honest with those in your existing support system. Check in with them about your feelings and be honest if you are struggling in recovery.
Honest is a vital piece of positive relationships. By letting your support system know where you are at, they can hold you accountable, be there when you need them, and keep you afloat on the bad days.
Attend Meetings Often
Support meetings are an excellent place to find positive support. Whether they are peer support groups or therapeutic groups, the individuals within them can help positively support you and your recovery.
Frequently attending these meetings is crucial. When you are present, other group members can better connect with you. You may find yourself hesitant to attend a meeting or support group. However, you have a choice as to where you want to go and who you want to engage with.
The positive connection you are looking for may be right around the corner. When you find positive support, you will be able to meet new people that share similar lifestyles as you and who can support you throughout your journey.
Finding your “people” that can be positive supports can be an overwhelming task. Sometimes, you may want to give up and isolate yourself because you find yourself discouraged by the lack of positive support. Understanding what you need in recovery can create uncomfortable feelings and cause you to stop trying. However, positive supports are out there, and you have to create awareness and be specific about what you are looking for in a positive support person. At The Guest House, we know what a challenging task it can be to find positive support and are prepared to help you find the community you need in recovery. We focus on your recovery and foster a community of like-minded peers through our alumni groups to help you succeed. Let us help you find your positive support. Call The Guest House at (855) 483-7800.