Volunteering not only helps your community, it also helps you, too. When you volunteer, you experience many benefits that strengthen your sobriety.
Discover how volunteering can be good for you and how you can get started.
Volunteering — It’s Good for Your Sobriety
When you give back to society and help others, you can:
Make Amends for Past Wrongs
Addiction can cause us to make poor decisions, and the consequences of these decisions can have real effects on our loved ones. Chances are, you’ve hurt those you’ve cared about most.
When you volunteer, you have the chance to give back to society. Giving back can help you release some of the guilt you may have been holding onto. When you no longer feel guilty, you can move on with your future.
Reinforce the Positives in Your Life
Helping those in need can put your own life in perspective. You’ll be able to see the value in your life and experience deeper gratitude for what you have.
Feeling grateful makes you appreciate your life more — and gives you greater reason to protect it. You’ll have the strength you need to make the right decisions for your sobriety.
Get You Ready to Return to Work
When your addiction affects your career, you lose self-confidence. By volunteering, you can bolster your self-esteem. You prove to yourself you are capable of tending to responsibilities, overcoming challenges and working with others.
If you’ve had to quit working due to addiction or time spent in rehab, gaps in your resume can be cause for concern. Potential employers may ask why you were out of work. When you fill those gaps with volunteering positions, it shows initiative. It also helps you develop key job skills that can serve you well in the future.
Develop a Healthy Social Network
To sustain long-term sobriety, you need to have a strong support network. Many of the friends you had with addictions of their own are no longer healthy for your recovery. By taking advantage of volunteering opportunities, you can meet new people with similar principles as you.
Getting Started
There are many opportunities where you can apply your skills and passions for the benefit of others. Thanks to the Internet, finding these opportunities is easier. Check out sites such as VolunteerMatch or serve.gov, which let you search relevant volunteering interests in your local area.
You can also start by considering the organizations that interest you. Visit their websites to see if they have any volunteer opportunities.
Reach out to family and friends. You can ask them about their volunteering experiences. They may have ideas on organizations that could use your help.
Protecting Your Long-Term Recovery
While volunteering can benefit your recovery, if it puts too much stress on your life, it could do the opposite. Make sure to keep your sobriety at the forefront. Should you find your sobriety is on shaky ground, reach out for help. 12 Keys Rehab can give you the personalized, holistic and compassionate support you need to strengthen your recovery. Contact us today.