It’s another scorcher across the U.S., and the summer blues can hit anyone, including people in recovery. but we know how you can handle the heat waves and manage your recovery and handle any curveballs thrown your way by family, friends, or work by taking matters into your own hands.
Sober Summer: Things You Can Do to Support Recovery
Here are our latest suggestions for sustaining sobriety the rest of this summer and beyond:
READ: Stay Sober During Summer Part One: Places to Walk and Places to Talk
READ: Stay Sober During Summer Part Two: Places to Swim and Places to Escape (In a Healthy Way)
When you create lifestyle habits that support recovery, and practice them every day over time, they become a default part of your life. That’s what we hope you do with the suggestions in these articles: consider how they can help not only your day-to-day wellbeing, but your long-term thriving.
We know recovery can be a long and lonely road. We also know – and want to remind you – that you are not alone. If you do feel alone, and need to connect, please reach out. We can help you find a viable path to treatment in whatever way you need.
If you have questions or need to check in with us here at Pinnacle, please don’t hesitate to call.
EXPLORE: Nearby Locations – Pinnacle Treatment Centers
Sober Summer: How Others Can Help Your Recovery
Granted, no one does the most difficult work of recovery but you. You face your past, relearn how to manage your present, and plan for a future in recovery. That’s all you, and you can do it. You learn that when you commit to treatment and recovery. However, when you’re in treatment and recovery, you also learn you’re never alone. The camaraderie and social connection people find in community support groups like AA and NA can make the process easier. We recommend staying connected to the people in your life who matter to you, support your recovery journey, and have your back no matter what – whether those people are family, healthy peers who aren’t in recovery, or recovery peers.
READ: The Importance of Social Support in Recovery
READ: Empowerment Through Peer Support in Addiction Treatment
Those articles provide data and statistics that confirm social connection and a robust peer recovery network both support recovery. For instance, did you know:
- If you add at least one sober person to your social network can increase your likelihood of sustained recovery by 25%
- Peer counseling during detox increases completion rates
- People in recovery who had one peer-led intervention early in treatment reduced their substance use more than people who didn’t
And that’s the power of just one: one peer, one peer intervention. Imagine having a whole group of people on your side? A recovery posse. Your sobriety crew. Team You. That’s what community support can be – but it only works if you engage.
Social connection and a robust peer recovery network can make a big difference. On a bad day alone, with no peer support, it may feel next to impossible to manage recovery – but you do it. A bad day when you can connect with your sponsor or make it to a meeting, however, probably feels much more manageable. Good conversations with your sponsor, connecting with a healthy friend or loved one, or listening to peers share in 12-step meetings might just turn that bad day into a good day.
We Can Help Build Your Support System
Patients who choose Pinnacle become part of our family. If you or someone you love needs treatment for the first time, or help on their recovery journey, please know you can always call us to start your recovery journey. We’ll connect you to a Pinnacle location near you for outpatient support. We’re here to help, 24/7/365.