When a person discovers a friend, loved one, or even an acquaintance has a drug or alcohol addiction, the second thought may be “How can I help?” Fortunately, there are many ways to engage in substance abuse therapy and intervention, one of the most potent and rewarding being to volunteer as a mentor, coach, and friend to recovering addicts. Volunteering as an important element in an addict’s rehabilitation has tangible impacts, both on the person being treated as well as on the volunteer himself.

The importance of building a strong support network lies at the heart of the modern treatment and rehabilitation model for individuals struggling with addiction. Having a person to turn to, who will provide understanding and support, can be the difference between a successful recovery or a relapse. Volunteering as a mentor or coach to a recovering addict establishes a bond of trust and reliable communication that can transform the lives of individuals with addictions. Taking the time to care for and listen to an individual can help them discover their worth and rebuild self-esteem.

No matter what type of addiction a person is battling, there are some basic principles every volunteer should follow when engaging in an intervention. Expressing warmth and understanding, free from judgment, is a crucial element in establishing a therapeutic relationship. Additionally, demonstrating a genuine respect for the addict’s feelings can strengthen communication and trust between the volunteer and the addict. It is also important for volunteers to demonstrate acceptance, support, and understanding for the person’s experience.

It is important to preserve boundaries and maintain a mentoring role when engaging in volunteerism for addiction therapy. Volunteers should aim to establish and maintain a safe environment free from labels and stigma. By creating a non-judgmental atmosphere, volunteers become a source of comfort and understanding for a person recovering from addiction. Addicts should be given the time and space to build upon their self-esteem and autonomy before attempting deeper conversations or actions.

Volunteering is not exclusive to individuals struggling with addiction, as it can prove beneficial to the volunteer themselves. Interacting with an individual in transition can bring a sense of satisfaction and hope that strays from the origins of guilt or duty. Through observing changes and progress in someone’s rehabilitation, volunteers can witness the positive impacts of the changes they helped promote and support. In addition, volunteers can develop new skills and enhance their psychosocial knowledge through continued participation in therapy.

Volunteering as an important element in the recovery process is an effective method that can have transformational impacts on individuals struggling with addiction. By expressing warmth and understanding, and preserving personal boundaries, volunteers can provide a safe corner in which an addict can build their self-esteem and autonomy towards a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, volunteers can find solace and satisfaction in witnessing their positive influence on the rehabilitation process.

No matter how severe an addiction condition is, anyone can recover if they undergo the right treatment process. However, it can be difficult sometimes to sustain the motivation needed to continue the journey to sobriety.

If you are struggling with finding encouragement for addiction recovery, this post is for you.

Here are some ways on how to self-motivate yourself during addiction recovery

Curate a gratitude list

During addiction recovery, you need to accept that the journey might not be as smooth as you expect. Hence, you might need to be gentle with yourself by not setting some expectations that you may not be able to meet.

While you are in recovery, pay attention to your good and challenging moments. Document the good ones, so that you can have something to look back on and smile about. When you do this, you will be more grateful for your present progress in recovery.

Keep a journal of your progress

While time passes in addiction recovery, you might forget some of your struggles and resolutions concerning your desire to get sober. If you feel that progress has not been made, you might become complacent.

Therefore, to avoid this, learn to keep track of your progress. It can be a blog, podcast, video-blog, etc.

Learn to reach out for help when you are struggling

Anytime it feels like you are struggling, do not hesitate to look for help. Ensure that you work closely with a counselor or therapist who will be there for you to provide help anytime you feel stuck.

It is normal for everyone to experience struggles during their addiction recovery, and you should not be shy or afraid to reach out for help

Do volunteer work

When you are in addiction recovery, you might feel isolated or alone. You can leverage this situation to help people. Doing volunteer work in your community is one of the ways to improve your mood, boost your confidence level, and reconnect with yourself.

Practice self-care

During addiction recovery, you need to practice self-care. Some of the ways include regular exercise, eating a nutritious diet, take enough water, getting enough rest, etc.

The journey to addiction recovery is no easy feat, it involves both mental and physical liberation. This is why addicts need professional psychological help during the recovery process. 

A counsellor’s role goes far beyond simply listening, teaching, and offering advice, they help patients recognize problematic behaviours, guide them into recovery, and empower them to take action and make necessary changes.

They create a therapeutic alliance with their patients by creating a trusting atmosphere and developing strong and real bond with them. That way addiction patients can be vulnerable enough to express themselves without fear of judgement.

They not only communicate but listen they use a combination of endearment, knowledge and understanding to provide rational explanations for their predicament. They also encourage patient recovery by ensuring addiction patients stick with rehab and treatment.

By showing non-possessive warmth, friendliness, genuineness, respect affirmation and empathy, patients will record significant progress.

During recovery, relapses are very common and can prove detrimental to the patient’s recovery progress. Counsellors therefore help patients develop a relapse prevention and recovery plan.

More so, family can be greatly impacted if they have an addict in recovery as this requires substantial amount of work, social considerations, guidance and motivation.

Counsellors therefore provide education on substance abuse, the recovery progress, family support groups, and what loved ones can do to support their loved one.

They also refer patients to outside support groups. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can help recovery addicts connect with like-minded peers, help them understand their addiction better without judgements and reinforce that they’re not alone during the recovery process.

The role of a recovery counsellor cannot be overemphasized. It is a key component in ensuring that the patient is fully recovered.

The 12-step recovery model is widely accepted addiction treatment recovery programme; however, it has its principles in spirituality. 

The basic premise of this model is that people can help one another achieve and maintain abstinence from substances of abuse, but that healing cannot come about unless people with addictions surrender to a higher power.

Although the 12 Steps are based on spiritual principles, many nonreligious people have found the program immensely helpful.  However, some persons are sceptical about the strong religious under tones.

There are many 12-step programs for various addictions and compulsive behaviours, ranging from Cocaine Anonymous, Alcohol Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous to Debtors Anonymous all using the same 12-Step methods.

Here are the 12 Steps as defined by Alcoholics Anonymous:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol–that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

This recovery program can be modified to accommodate any kind of addiction.

Typically, someone who is addicted cannot accept that they have an addiction problem. Some of them do not know, particularly those who indulge in behavioral addiction. While, a good number of people who indulge in substance addiction are aware that they have an addiction problem. All the same, they would not readily acknowledge their addiction.

The main reason for this is public acceptance. The public would not readily accept people who are addicted because of the awkward mode of behavior they have. Some addicted individuals are known for being the reason behind mishaps and unfortunate occurrences in a particular city, town or community.

The brain of an addict becomes modified when addiction fully sets in. So, you can expect that the individual would not behave or process thoughts normally. This implies that some things they see as being right, are in actuality very wrong.

So, bearing in mind that the public would not accept them and there is a stigma that comes with being addicted, these individuals would prefer to keep to themselves. The worst part is, even with close people like family and friends, they would rather keep it hidden from them, than to involve them because they cannot fully be trusted.

The other side of the coin is accepting or acknowledging your addiction is what breeds recovery progress in the long run. In opting for a rehab where addiction treatment is being offered, you will be required to open up to the counselor and relay all that concerns your addiction problem. This is what the counselor would use to structure a treatment plan for you.

Without acknowledging your addiction, it becomes impossible for you to break free from it. Because, within you, it portends that you do not want to get better.

Sometimes, people need help in accepting their addiction problem, so it is best to show them in love and not prejudice. The manner of approach matters a whole lot and an addicted person would not readily listen to you if you condemn before offering corrections.  

For an addict, one of the most difficult choices to make is acknowledging one’s addiction and seeking treatment. When the addiction treatment is over, they often find it tough to get back on their feet. This is why a good number of them make the huge mistake of starting with impulse without realizing that some things are no longer the same.

Hence, even after an individual has been certified to be free from addiction, it is important to have a profound follow-up system in place. As earlier mentioned, an addict would want to take the bull by the horn without leaving any stone unturned.

Rehabs have a big role to play in helping addicts get back on their feet. Bearing in mind that the addict needs a transition phase before he or she starts out fully in the real world.

To start with, addicts should be encouraged to exercise on a regular basis. This is important because of the numerous benefits that come with exercise.

Also, know that these benefits cuts across all aspects of our lives: Physical, mental, emotional and a host of others. Exercising frequently helps the individual to start out well and remain on track.

Moreso, good nutrition is encouraged. It is one of the health measures that should not be neglected. Though, some people feel the signs that come with good nutrition are minute, you will be surprised to find out the huge chunk of changes that takes place in your body after series of nutritious meals.

Recovering individuals are also advised not to neglect the place of rest. One of the major reasons why rest is needed is because our bodies need to refresh themselves. When stress accumulates in the body, it can result in physical illness and other forms of health problems. In fact, stress is one of the major reasons why people become addicted.

Lastly, recovering individuals need the best of follow-ups they can get to prevent them from falling once again into the hands of addiction.

Various studies have shown that living in a healthy home has a tendency to increase the lifespan of the home owner. There are lots of benefits which are inherent in having a clean home which transcends to having a healthy home. A good number of us might be unenthusiastic about keeping our home clean and healthy, it is actually very important in availing us the opportunity of living healthy lives.

Below are some points which states why a healthy home is important

1. Reduction of stress and fatigue: Living in a messy home sends a signal to you that there is still much work to be done and hence, there is a need for you to finish up. When you regularly clean up your home, there would not be any room for piled up dirt and items which are not arranged. Cluttered items have the tendency to induce tiredness and stress.
2. Reduction of sensitivity and symptoms of asthma: Staying in an untidy environment, or places which have natural dampness can cause asthma and allergies or sensitivity. These substances have the tendency to reduce the quality of air and also increase the chances of someone coming down with asthma.
3. Improvement of safety: There are many features which have detrimental effects on the people living in the house, and it is essential that these features are correctly put in place in order to ensure that everyone is safe. Your home needs to be free from all sorts of hazards, in order to make sure that your environment is safe.
4. Reduction of the spread of germs: Some people have the conventional thinking that bathrooms are where you would find plethora of germs, while others are of the opinion that it is in the kitchen. However, it is important that the whole area of your home is kept clean, in order to step-up the health state of your home.
5. Warding off pests: It is very easy for all kinds or pests to live in an unhealthy home, and this is hinged on the fact that the dirtiness has accumulated over time. Pests cause all sorts of problems ranging from diseases to being uncomfortable amongst others.

Many addicts that have achieved success in their process of recovery have done so with the aid of sponsorship. Finding a sponsor that would guide an addict through the process of recovery is known to be an effective tool. However, it is common for an addict to have little or no idea of what the role of a sponsor is in their course of recovery.

The major role and responsibility of a sponsor is to help an addict with the steps required in the recovery process and this happens to be one of the most beneficial and closest relationships addict can develop in recovery.

MEANING OF SPONSORSHIP IN ADDICTION RECOVERY

Sponsorship in the process of recovery from addiction requires a person as a support and who has a vast knowledge about sobriety issues and is able to be responsible and be accountable to the addict. A sponsor is like a friend, mentor and confidant who guides an addict with issues of sobriety through the addiction recovery process.

Usually, a sponsor would have gone through the process and have acquired the experience needed to help another person. They usually have a considerable amount of time staying sober and continually work to sustain the principles acquired from the recovery process in their own lives.

On the other hand, it requires the addict that is sponsored and who is becoming just newly sober to be open and honest with the sponsor. This might be a daunting challenge because it might be something that are not used to doing. Nonetheless, it is an important and crucial way of developing a relationship of trust which is the basics for a long-term recovery.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SPONSOR

            Sponsorship in addiction requires the addict to offer guidance, encouragement and support. There are other vital functions a sponsor carries out:

• Motivation and inspiration which is needed by the addict in the process of recovery can be provided by a sponsor
• A sponsor can teach the addict necessary steps in living a life free and void of addiction.
• Sponsors are a great and reliable source of information required in addiction recovery which includes their own personal experiences and testimonies.
• A sponsor is normally a good listener, and a person that can provide support and care for the addict
• An addict should be able to be accountable and responsible to a sponsor hence it requires for the sponsor to be trustworthy
• A sponsor is a nonjudgmental and understanding fellow
• Guidance in building healthy relationships can be provided by the sponsor.

As our society becomes more aware of what addiction is, people as a whole are becoming more compassionate toward the plight of an addict. What used to be seen as an undesirable quality in a person is now understood as a complex disease that requires a great deal of support and work in order to beat. That is why many people are asking what they can do to help recovering addicts. One thing that a drug or alcohol abuse rehab centers or support group is always in need of is people who are willing to sponsor a recovering addict to help them along the road of sobriety. A sponsor may lend support through in person meetings, phone calls or written communication.

In-person meetings between a sponsor and an addict are usually arranged in advance and are often reoccurring. Because a sponsor acts as an accountability partner, reoccurring meetings serve the purpose of checking on the recovering addict’s progress. They give the person the chance to talk with someone about their recovery, express how they are feeling, communicate any struggles they have been going through and receive advice, support and encouragement. In-person meetings are important because they usually achieve the most honest and personal communication.

One of the most important functions of a sponsor is to be available by phone when the recovering addict is in a time of need. A sponsor’s duty is to do everything within their power to encourage the addict to refrain from their addiction, so when something triggers them and they are in danger of relapsing, a support system that can be available at a moments notice is critical. A sponsor should be available most of the time, within reason, via phone to the recovering addict that they sponsor and be ready to do what they can to pull them back from relapse through love and encouragement.

Written communication between a sponsor and an addict can be particularly useful to people who express themselves well through writing. This form of communication is very valuable when a recovering addict needs to explore in depth their thoughts and feelings about their recovery journey recovery. Sponsors should be prepared to write well-thought out responses to any written communication they receive from the person they sponsor.

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