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If you are interested in sharing yours, please email or Mine took five weeks, and I’d never written a book before. I figured out three simple steps to organize my thoughts and decide what to include. If you’re ready to embark on this life-affirming journey, here are the three simple steps you can take. The first time I went to AA, sharing your story in recovery all I heard was how much different I was than everyone else in those rooms. A little over four years ago, something incredible happened. I was sitting in AA and NA meetings in another state with complete strangers completely hopeless about life with my head down staring at the floor, and I began hearing my story from others.
This list may include dos and don’ts for sharing a personal recovery story, but don’t forget that there’s no one way to share. Instead, it’s important just to start sharing and, eventually, you’ll get into a groove that works for you. If eating disorders thrive in isolation, recovery thrives in community.
Don’t: Glamorize the Addiction
Your story may connect you with a community of people united by a shared goal of lasting recovery. This community may hear and understand your experiences in ways that your friends and family simply cannot. Your life is an example of success with addiction recovery.
Told in their own words, these stories provide insight into the experiences of people who are embarking on their own personal journey of recovery and triumph over addiction. Like I said above, the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous is pure genius. Because I’ve seen the philosophy work an endless amount of times in scenarios that have nothing to do with alcoholism or drug addiction. I’ve had many people in my life discuss life issues with me such as the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, financial troubles and every other type of problem you can imagine. Without even mentioning my alcohol or drug addiction, sharing my experience, strength and hope about the situation often allows us to connect on the subject. Listening to others in recovery plays a big part in this process.
What Are the Negative Health Effects of Chronic Meth Use?
The person may have heard about people relapsing after treatment, and it’s all right to acknowledge this. Just be sure to let them know of all the success stories and how the people who used the tools provided by treatment had better chances of long-term recovery. There’s an immense amount of power in personal experiences.
- While some substantive efforts aim to break down the stigma, the fact remains that discussing these things aloud can sometimes be rather daunting.
- Find some tips for sharing the story in a way that honors you and your recovery community.
- The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing.
- Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.
If you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, sharing your story with others is beneficial not only to you but also to your listeners. By telling how your addiction impacted your life and the lives of your loved https://ecosoberhouse.com/ ones, you show others that recovery is possible and that they are not alone. A key component of AA is sharing your story with others struggling with addiction, and there are many guidelines for sharing at AA meetings.
The Importance of a Recovery Story
Your real-life, true story of your own personal battle of drug addiction and recovery. When any of us are struggling, all we’re really looking for is hope.
We may find that we do not always receiveforgivenessfrom those we have wronged. Even then, you may choose to talk about these things when telling your story. This is a rare opportunity to let people in, let them get to know you. Use this opportunity to let people know whyyouhave been chosen for the task of tellingyourstory.
Your Family
When you’re ready to edit your story, leave it for a period of time so you can come back and look at it objectively, without the raw emotion you may have experienced when writing it down. When you’re working with clients, share tips, tricks and best practices that you used during recovery. Tell them what worked for you, and be honest about the things that didn’t work. Did you read self-help books, listen to motivational podcasts or attend group meetings?
Other times, more detail is better – a powerful story about overcoming the seemingly-impossible could motivate just about anyone. No matter which path you decide to take, remember that sharing your recovery story can help you, too. You’re more likely to stay focused on your recovery when you remember what were likely the darkest days of your life.