Substance abuse recovery is a lifelong journey. After completing rehabilitation, it can be difficult to maintain a sober lifestyle, but there is always healthy support in some form closer than you may realize. Volunteering is a powerful aid that can help you stay on track. Whether you have a career to return to or you’re unemployed, making time to volunteer at a farm, shelter, food pantry, or senior center can provide you with many benefits. If you’re unemployed, you definitely should consider volunteering, as it will reduce the amount of free time you have and give you something else to focus on. Here are some other benefits volunteering can have on your recovery.
Sense of Community and Belonging
After spending time at Utah drug rehab facilities, you’ll be prepared to start on your addiction recovery journey. Through volunteerism, you’ll be fostering the growth of a community. And that community will be one that you become a part of. This sense of community and belonging that comes with volunteering and getting to know a new community of folks helps you find new meaning and a new purpose. There is no shortage of great organizations to volunteer with. You can work with animals, children, plant life, or disabled persons. You may find yourself outdoors or moving your body. You might even find yourself behind a desk taking calls at a helpline center. This can also be a way to build valuable social and professional connections that can impact your career prospects.
Explore and Find Your Passion
Volunteering is a great way to help you find what ignites your passion. If you’re looking for work, volunteering with various organizations can help you figure out what you enjoy doing. It exposes you to a variety of tasks and possibilities that you may not have realized were available to you or existed. You’ll get help in finding clarity regarding the path you want to set out on, and they’ll be getting the benefit of your efforts. If you’re not sure where to start, think about what you like to do or any hobbies you may have.
Hobbies are only a step away from passions.
Gain a Positive Perspective
Sometimes it’s easy to fall into pessimism and discouragement, but working with others as a volunteer can do a lot to shift your perspective. Whether you’re working with people, animals, or nature, you’ll see another side of the world and start to figure out how you fit in. Volunteering can show you that there’s a lot to be grateful for and that you’re more fortunate than many other individuals. Coming out of an addiction treatment program forces you to analyze your place now that you’re on your own in some respects. Volunteering helps to fill the space that recovery support once filled. You may be grateful to learn that volunteering also helps to boost self-confidence. Not only will you learn new skills in a healthy environment, but also your contributions will be appreciated and valued.
Addiction recovery is a lifelong endeavor, and volunteering can both enrich your recovery and surround you with good people and positive influences. It’s a way to invest in yourself and your community.
We are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice and we cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.