Ask Our Doctors | Addiction Help & Mental Health Forum by JourneyPure

Addiction Health Forum

Ask Our Doctors | Addiction Help & Mental Health Forum by JourneyPure
  • Addiction Recovery
  • Alcoholism
  • Families of Addicts
  • Drug Addiction
    • Meth Addiction
    • Opioid Addiction
  • Kentucky Substance Abuse
  • Suboxone
  • Florida Substance Abuse
  • Uncategorized
  • Tennessee Substance Abuse
  • Company News

How can I give back in recovery?

Answered by Dr. Brian Wind Ph.D. 0

An important part of recovery is being of service to others.

That can mean:

  • Volunteering
  • Sharing Your Story
  • Working in Treatment
  • Helping Your Friends Still Struggling

It sounds cliché, but there’s plenty of data to show that helping others really does help yourself.

For example, Maria Pagano from Case Western University released a study showing that addicts who help others, even in small ways — such as calling other AA/NA members to remind them about meetings — significantly improves the likelihood of staying sober.

This is scientific proof that working with others is one of the best safeguards against relapse.

“Helpers in AA have the sense that, by staying dry, they are helping other people along the path”

How can I find volunteer opportunities?

  • Get involved in your home group. Once you’ve completed the steps yourself, becoming a sponsor is one of the best ways to volunteer in recovery. If you’re not there yet, sign up to help at the meetings, even if it’s just making the coffee, welcoming newcomers or giving someone a ride.
  • Find volunteer opportunities outside of recovery. Recovery doesn’t define your whole life. Animal lovers can volunteer at a shelter. The musically talented can volunteer to play at a nursing home. Anyone can stock shelves at a food pantry. There are plenty of non-profit organizations that need your passion and skills. Try VolunteerMatch.org or do a standard Google search in your area.
  • Think about little ways to help. Having a formal volunteer commitment once a week is great. Not everyone has the capacity to do that, especially in early recovery. Find little ways you can make someone’s day. Call your grandma. Help a friend move. Give blood. Addiction thrives on isolation and selfishness. Fight it by proactively thinking of others.

Where can I share my story?

Sharing your perspective and the lessons you learned can impact someone still struggling more than you’ll ever know. The process of recounting how far you’ve come can also inspire you to keep moving forward and add a sense of purpose to your struggle.

  • Share at an AA, NA or Alumni meeting
  • Share your experience in the comments on this forum to help others
  • Post your story on social media like Facebook
  • Email DigitalMarketing@JourneyPure.com to help you write a letter to the editor for your local newspaper
  • Leave a review for JourneyPure (This one is self-serving, but we’d appreciate the support)!

Can I get a job at JourneyPure?

Yes! Most employees here are in recovery, many alumni. The general requirement is at least 1 year of continuous sobriety, though some roles require additional sober time.

To view and apply for current openings, visit our page on Indeed.

How can I help my friends that are still struggling?

While you need to be careful associating with people from your old life, you’re living proof to them that things can get better. Let them know you’re here to help and available any time they want to talk about treatment and recovery.

Whether they are able to attend a JourneyPure facility or not, we can help them find their best option. There’s a specific helpline for alumni – (615) 283-9244, but any number they find online is OK too.

JourneyPure.com doctors follow rigorous sourcing guidelines and cite only trustworthy sources of information, including peer-reviewed journals, count records, academic organizations, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports and their own expertise with decades in the fields and their own personal recovery.

  • Berkeley University: “Staying Sober Through Service.”

Disclaimer

All content is for informational purposes only. No material on this site, whether from our doctors or the community, is a substitute for seeking personalized professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard advice from a qualified healthcare professional or delay seeking advice because of something you read on this website.

Do you have more questions?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

There are no comments on this questions yet.

Do you find this answer helpful?

Tell us what you think.

2 Upvotes

Thanks! Do you have experience with this topic?

Oh no. Is there a follow up question we can answer for you?

Enter your email to get notified if this post gets updated.

Thanks! Enter a name to comment throughout the website

Thank you! If it's time for you or a loved on to make a change...

Written By

Dr. Brian Wind Ph.D.

Chief Clinical Officer

Subscribe
X

Subscribe

You'll get an email weekly with any new questions answered by this doctor. Since you're not logged in, check your email after you submit to confirm.

E-mail :*

With nearly 20 years of experience, Dr. Wind is a recognized leader in clinical psychology and addiction science. He is the Chief Clinical Officer here at JourneyPure. He’s also in recovery himself.

  • Clinical executive at JourneyPure, a nationally-recognized drug & alcohol treatment center with locations across the country
  • 20 years as a licensed clinical psychologist specialized in substance use disorders
  • Adjunct professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University
  • Regular expert contributor to WebMD and Healthline
  • Former committee co-chair for the American Psychological Association
  • In recovery
Related
  • What is dual diagnosis?
  • What is IOP?
  • How can I sleep better after addiction?
  • What is the JourneyPure Alumni program?
  • How much does JourneyPure cost?
  • Is there such a thing as online AA meetings?
  • How has the COVID-19 outbreak impacted those in addiction and recovery?
  • Where can I post a review?
  • What do I do if I relapse?
  • How do I use JourneyPure Accountability Coaching?

What now?

Get more answers.

  • Get an Email With Updates On This Question

    Subscribe Now
    X

    Subscribe Now

    You'll get an email weekly if there are updates to any questions or categories that you follow. Since you're not logged in, check your email after you submit to confirm.

    E-mail : *
  • Talk About Your Options for Treatment

  • Share This Link on Social or with a Friend

    The link has been copied

Rehab Locations

  • Rehab Centers
  • Rehabs in Tennessee
  • Rehabs in Kentucky
  • Lexington Rehab
  • Nashville Rehab
  • Rehab Louisville
  • Rehab Knoxville
  • Alcoholism Definition
  • Signs of Liver Damage
  • Wet Brain
  • Relapse
  • Subutex
  • Suboxone Clinic
  • Is Addiction a Disease
One of only 20% of healthcare centers in the world to earn CARF.
An A+ rated facility by the U.S. Better Business Bureau.
  • © 2021 JourneyPure. All rights reserved
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
X
X