Your experiences have the power to inspire hope in others. The storms you have weathered and vanquished may be relatable to many people within the sober living community. Everyone has a story that might inspire a listener, and encouragement means more when it comes from a place of empathy and real understanding. Allowing yourself to be open enough to share your personal history of substance abuse and sobriety can inspire others to challenge their expectations and assumptions about recovery.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) lists ‘sharing your story with others’ as a primary recovery support tool. SAMHSA describes the impact that recounting your experiences can have on people who may feel alone, vulnerable, or confused about the process of healing: “When you share your recovery journey and how your recovery has impacted those around you, you show people they are not alone. Your story can also demonstrate that treatment works and recovery is possible.” SAMHSA provides a wide array of methods for you to
share your experiences with others, both locally and within the wider international community. There is no need to limit yourself to only one form of connectivity; you can use multiple tools to broaden your reach to more people who may need to hear it.
Ways You Can Share With Others
There are numerous opportunities to share your experience with others going through the process of recovery. Below are some ways to speak up, both within your sober living community and to a more diverse audience.
Record a video and post it online
Post to a reputable support forum or site created specifically for sharing recovery stories (the Faces and Voices of Recovery organization, National Empowerment Center, etc.)
Share during a support group or group therapy session
If asked, or if you believe it may provide some relief, you can tell it one-on-one to a member of the community
Create a storyboard, slideshow, or other digitally formatted visual presentation to share in person, online, or both
Write your story down online or in print form
Why Your Voice Matters
You may feel hesitant to share your own experiences with others for a variety of reasons. Many people remain silent about their own journey of recovery because they worry about being judged, losing credibility, or feel that they have nothing to contribute. While these are valid concerns, it’s important to remember that when you are an integral part of the sober living community seeking to provide essential support for others in recovery, you may have to make decisions which look past personal discomfort and self-doubts. Speaking up will allow you to show members of the sober living community that you understand where they are coming from, and that there is hope for them. You are a picture of what their future could look like if they succeed at attaining long-term sobriety. That kind of motivation is priceless.
What’s Right to Share
You have lived through a lot, and it can be hard to narrow down what will be most helpful for the people around you. Depending on the situation, you may need to take your cues on a case-by-case basis. For example, if someone brings up a situation that’s causing them dread or anxiety, and they are asking specifically for suggestions in overcoming it, it would be helpful for you to share your point of view and how your journey was affected by a similar situation. A few themes that can be helpful and are often shared include those listed below.
What you do to
maintain your sobriety
How you felt at your lowest and what got you through
The tips, tricks, and resources you have found helpful during your recovery
What specific struggles you have faced and how you feel about them today
How people were able to help you overcome difficult moments
How you first started figuring out that you may have a problem, and what led to you getting help
What the defining moments in your recovery were
Where you are today in terms of mental and physical wellbeing
Giving Hope Through Your Story
There is hope in speaking out. Your words can go far in destigmatizing substance abuse disorders and recovery within your community. The everyday struggles that people face when they take the step to get help can become demoralizing. Showing them that it does not last forever, and that mundane normality is in their future, can be a motivating factor in their recovery. Men with a commitment to helping each other can create a robust and supportive community.
No matter who you are or what life experiences have brought you to this place, there are plenty of ways your story can positively affect the people around you. Working in a sober living community provides the unique opportunity to share the factors that were instrumental to your recovery. There are plenty of chances to speak up and offer some insight into what the people around you can expect from their future. Telling your story can also show them how their past can be reframed into a positive instead of a negative. Recovery is about reclaiming your future and your past. At Safety Net Recovery®, we believe in the resiliency of the spirit. As Christians and spiritual men, we understand the strength of stories and their impact on the world. To find out more about how you can share your story, reach out today. Call Safety Net Recovery® at (770) 432-9774.
