Professional Networking & Services Resources

Having a strong social group can help improve your chances of finding employment, helping you achieve your educational goals, and connecting with other recreational and cultural opportunities. This is one of the things that your support group will be able to offer you. A support group can also help you navigate any obstacles that arise as you progress through your recovery. You never know what sort of challenges are going to come your way, and it can be very helpful to know that there are people around to support you no matter what happens. The first step is to know that your questions and feelings are normal.

Thorstensen, a native of Russia who resides in Virginia Beach and celebrated 10 years of U.S. citizenship in March, was one of those who didn’t have an addiction, but searched for the same connections. Zimmerman, now sober for nine years, was eager to connect with other nondrinkers. He created two Meetup groups that quickly grew to more than 200 members. Besides providing an equal number of attractive alcohol-free drink options, here are some other ideas.

Additional Benefits to Building a Support Network

Therefore, you should try not to get discouraged as you meet new people. Focus on participating in activities that will help you become the healthiest version of yourself, and you will attract like-minded people. Remember to be careful, proceed slowly, and use discernment when meeting new people and deciding whether they are compatible with the new direction your life is taking in recovery. The path of recovery generally includes a variety of counselors, doctors, and advisors. These professionals play an important role in helping you maintain your life of recovery and stay healthy.

Most importantly, your support posse will be right there for you during the times recovery success is threatened, guiding you through the challenge. The journey begins when you enter treatment and discontinue use of the substance, but rehab is only the launch pad to recovery. To achieve and maintain a long-term substance-free life involves cultivating a sober living network, consisting of family and friends, recovery groups, mentors or sponsors, counselors, and pastors. These individuals surround you with invisible scaffolding, supporting you as you dodge and weave your way through the sometimes-rocky landscape of recovery.

You guys care, you really do. This isn’t just a machine.

Email your boss to tell him what an amazing networking opportunity this has been, and how many ‘useful conversations’ you’ve had. You start panicking about the meaning of life and the real reason for existence. You see yourself standing uncomfortably in a room, with a bunch of people you don’t know, all nodding their heads to the background music. It’s also a great opportunity for shy people to have somewhere to https://stylevanity.com/2023/07/top-5-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-choosing-sober-house.html look and something to do with their hands, which leaves the coast clear for the boldest networkers to start charging into conversations. There’s only one situation where grown professionals will commit to wearing plastic name badges and drinking terrible coffee out of thimble sized mugs; THE NETWORKING EVENT. When it comes to alcohol use, there’s typically some confusion around the definition of heavy drinking.

One of the most valuable assets that sober social apps offer is their intuitive relapse-prevention capabilities. Many of these apps can detect when a recovering is in a problematic area or among risky past associations and send them an alert or affirmational reminder of the progress they’ve made in recovery. The app Hey, Charlie helps people avoid environmental triggers that might threaten their recovery from an opioid addiction. It is now being piloted by several treatment centers in Massachusetts and monitors a user’s contacts and location and sends pop-up notifications to caution them about risky acquaintances or neighborhoods.