If you’re battling addiction, support from others is crucial. But what happens when you don’t have a family or have family members who can’t or won’t help? That’s where finding your own circle of support comes in.
A person’s chosen family is often their support system during times of need. This is especially true for those in addiction recovery, who may find themselves still rebuilding relationships with family members that were lost during the addiction. However, for many people in recovery, their chosen family becomes just as important as their blood relatives.
What Is a Chosen Family?
A “chosen family” is a term used to describe the people we choose to have in our lives. In many cases, chosen family members fill the roles that blood family members cannot or will not fill. For example, someone might consider their therapist or sponsor to be part of their chosen family because they provide support and guidance that the person’s biological family does not.
For people in addiction recovery, having a supportive chosen family is essential. This is because addiction often strains or breaks relationships with blood relatives. As a result, people in recovery may find themselves without the support of family members who they once counted on. At the same time, family members who are still struggling with addiction can be triggers for relapse. So, it’s important for people in recovery to create a support system of people who will help them stay on track with their sobriety.
The Benefits of Having a Chosen Family
There are many benefits to having a chosen family, especially for those in addiction recovery. A few of the most important benefits include the following:
Providing support during difficult times – When you’re going through a tough time, it’s nice to know that you have people in your life who will support you. That’s what family is supposed to do. But sometimes, blood family members are unable or unwilling to provide the support we need. That’s when having a chosen family can make all the difference.
Helping to prevent relapse – One of the most important things people in addiction recovery can do is to avoid triggers for relapse. Triggers can come in many forms, but one of the most common is spending time with family members who are still using drugs or alcohol. If being around these family members puts you at risk for relapse, it’s important to have other people in your life who you can rely on for support.
Giving you a sense of belonging – When you’re in addiction recovery, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong anywhere. But having a chosen family can help you feel like you’re part of something larger than yourself. This can be especially important if your relationship with your blood family is strained or broken.
Allowing you to be yourself without judgment – One of the best things about having a chosen family is that you can be yourself without fear of judgment. When you’re around your family, you might feel like you have to put on a persona or act a certain way. But with your chosen family, you can relax and be yourself without worry. If you’re in addiction recovery, it’s important to have a supportive network of people around you. Your chosen family can play an important role in helping you stay sober and live a happy, healthy life.
Helping you grow and change – Another great thing about having a chosen family that’s apart from your familiar upbringing is that they can help you grow and change as a person. If you’re someone who’s working on changing old patterns or behaviors, it can be helpful to have people who can help you stay on track with your sobriety goals and be a part of your future.
Ways to Build a Chosen Family
If you don’t have a chosen family yet, there are a few things you can do to create one. Here are a few ideas:
Find a support group – If you’re in addiction recovery, attending a support group is a great way to meet people who can become part of your chosen family. These groups provide a safe, supportive environment where you can share your experiences and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
Join an activity group – Another great way to meet potential family members is to join an activity group. This could be anything from a book club to a hiking group to an art class. Doing something you enjoy with other people is a great way to form bonds and create lasting relationships.
Volunteer – Volunteering is a great way to meet people and make a difference in your community. And it’s also a great way to find potential family members. When you volunteer, you’ll meet people with similar values and interests as you, and you’ll be able to help others while also helping yourself.
Appreciate your friends – The friends you already have can also be a great chosen family. If you have friends who are supportive and accepting, cherish those relationships. These are the people who will be there for you during good times and bad.
Addiction Recovery in Pulaski, TN
Family is the best support system anyone could ask for. But sometimes, blood family members are unable or unwilling to provide the support we need. That’s when having a chosen family can make all the difference. A chosen family is a group of people that you choose to be in your life because they make you happy and they support you. And by choosing to be in your life, they also become family.
If you’re in recovery, it’s important to have a supportive network of people around you who can help you stay sober and live a happy, healthy life. At Genesis Medical Detox, we can help you find the resources and support you need to make a successful recovery. Contact us today at (844) 895-0537 to learn more about our detox and recovery programs.
