September is National Recovery Month
Have You Assembled Your Recovery Support System?
When people talk about the future, the terms often used are journey, goals, work, career, plans, determination, responsibility, etc. Each person has their journey, and not all journeys travel in a straight line. Some people hit a bump in the road or have to take a detour, and for some the detour is recovery. Recovery is a personal journey with the goals of hope, empowerment, and determination; and for many people with mental health or substance abuse challenges, recovery is often possible.
Recovery could be physical, mental, or a combination of both, a personal journey that many have to overcome. One of the stabilizing factors for success in recovery is having a sound support system. The support system could consist of family members, friends, teachers, faith community members, neighbors, peers, a pet, or a co-worker. Whether the support member recognizes it or not, they are essential to a person in recovery in the way of ensuring they remain on the right road without deviations, as best as they can.
The support system is a vital and critical part in a person’s recovery journey, and the recovering person must trust the support person/people in their support system and feel comfortable talking about their experiences. These people are there for you when you need help with everyday situations, assist in making difficult decisions, and when in crisis.
Below are some ways to get started with building a support network:
- Stay Connected with friends and family.
- Utilize resources such as technology via email, text, phone, or video calls.
- Search for peer groups who are facing the same challenges.
- Recognize an opportunity to ask for help and then ask.
- Assemble a team of trusted professionals you can call on when in need.
Remember, recovery is a journey, not a race. Slow and steady is always the best course for any road!
