Whether they know it or not, I know people who have relapsed who shared something before or after their relapse that helped me stay sharing your story in recovery sober that day. We live in a world where feelings, mental illness and other troubles are misconceived or looked down upon.

There was probably a time during your active addiction that you kept a lot inside of you. You probably had many secrets, did not tell people what you were going through, or what exactly you were doing. Then you went to treatment and worked through your struggles. You probably started to open up during treatment, express yourself, and tell your unique story. Now that you are in recovery and leading a life of sobriety, you may find that it is again a little bit hard or scary to tell your story.

Connection Helps Us All On Our Recovery Journey

There may be times when you are simply not ready to talk about your story—and that’s okay! But when you are ready to share, do so—for everyone’s sake. When you’re ready to edit your story, leave it for a period of time so you can come back and look at it objectively, without the raw emotion you may have experienced when writing it down. The 12-step program Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the world’s most popular and well-known recovery programs. Engage people in shared decision-making conversations about accessing evidence-based treatment for their condition. I still don’t have the answer to that question because I don’t know everyone’s story, but I believe that maybe they thought they were alone like I did until they heard me share something similar. If you need help finding your voice or getting the words right, reach out to us or find fellow recovering people in recovery for help.

• Told in their own words, these stories provide insight into the experiences of people who are embarking on their own personal journey of recovery and triumph over addiction.
• Telling your story can also be frightening if you have trouble opening up to others.
• Sharing your recovery story isn’t easy, but it’s a necessary part of the healing process.
• What we have lived through has shaped and molded us, transformed us, and taught us valuable lessons.

Some think they can get sober on their own, and some believe treatment won’t work for them. Whatever the reason, it’s important to show potential clients that you have been in their shoes and that getting treatment helped you come out on the other side. You telling your story to other people has the ability to really help them.

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Ancient myths are stories early humans told around a fire before we had science and religion. We still build community and create connections by sharing stories – especially those involving loss and hope. Sharing your story with others makes your recovery more real. But before you lay out all the details to people, prepare them for the conversation. Stay calm and educate them about the truth and realities of addiction — it will help them get through the initial rush of emotion.

• Once you begin thinking about sharing your story with others, it is a good idea to talk to your therapist before doing so.
• I was sitting in AA and NA meetings in another state with complete strangers completely hopeless about life with my head down staring at the floor, and I began hearing my story from others.
• There are many great reasons to share your recovery story with others, even if you aren’t typically the type of person who chooses to share personal experiences with others.
• Hopefully, the following article will imbue you with a sense of how best to balance these aspects when sharing your tale with others who are in recovery.
• Some twenty million Americans are addicted to a non-tobacco substance, and only about 10 percent of them seek treatment for their illness.

We do our best to explain it in the Life After Diagnosis section of this website. Some people diagnosed with a serious mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, fully recover in the medical sense of the term. Find the perfect fit, a setting where you feel comfortable enough to freely share your recovery story with others, and where you will be enriched by their stories. Social support is a powerful, protective force against relapse. This is because you become accountable for your sobriety, not only to yourself, but to your recovery community as well. When people open up and share their recovery story they reveal, in an honest and vulnerable way, their experience with a substance that likely caused a great deal of pain. Those who are present feel a connection with the person and their story, which promotes peer support.

The Importance of Sharing Your Story in Recovery

This may not sound like the light at the end of the tunnel, but it is the closest that some will ever get. Out of all three major components of your story, this one should come the most naturally.

Some observers might not relate to the ease with which you “quit your job” to pursue treatment, so they could tune out and miss key points in your story. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ This is one example of how embellishing your story can actually do more harm than good. Share your recovery story at the following websites.

Don’t: Glamorize the Addiction

If you have your own addiction story to share, here are some ways you can offer your experience to clients. Rehab is a life-changing step for someone with a history of addiction.

• Once again, if your story keeps just one person in recovery, you should tell it.
• For some of us, life gets much more difficult after recovery.
• Individuals can remember this rule by mainly sharing “I” statements — ensuring the focus remains on you.
• It allows you to be better at your job and helps you touch the lives of more people.
• If you are struggling with any aspect of a substance abuse problem, you can always count on Desert Cove Recovery for help.
• Out of all the tools you have at your disposal, your personal experience with addiction is one of the most impactful.

The same can be said for process group sessions, whether as part of a residential treatment program or in outpatient continuing care. These group sessions also provide opportunities to share personal stories, which allows participants to relate to each other’s experiences. Their common bond—the struggles that led them to embark on the path to recovery—leads to mutual support.

Every day, 44 Americans die from overdoses involving prescription opioids. Learn how we are continuing our mission to be a force of hope and healing, and what we are doing on the front lines to help families and communities affected by opioid addiction. Virtual Outpatient Addiction Treatment Learn more about Hazelden Betty Ford’s multiple levels of virtual outpatient addiction treatment. Mark’s key responsibilities include handling day-to-day maintenance matters and oversees our Environment of Care management plan in conjunction with Joint Commission and DCF regulations.