The Importance of Community in My Recovery Journey

Community has always been a huge part of my life, whether I realized it or not. It’s funny how we often don’t appreciate something until it’s gone. In my case, it took going through some serious struggles with substances and finding my way into recovery to really understand just how vital community is, not just for survival, but for my own healing.

Back when I lived in that old NHS building with 40 other people (yeah, 40, like some kind of chaotic, makeshift family), I felt like I was part of something bigger. It was one of those weird, almost magical setups where, even though it was a bit wild at times, there was always a sense of belonging. You knew people had your back. It felt like community, even if it was a temporary one. When that living situation ended, I felt a bit lost. That space had filled a need in me that I hadn’t fully realized. Connection, being part of something, a place where you’re seen.

So, when I eventually hit rock bottom and started my journey through recovery, I knew one thing: I needed find a community. Not just any community, but one that understood what I was going through.

The Recovery Community: Finding My Tribe

Enter the 12-step fellowships. If you’re not familiar, the 12-step programs are a global network of people in recovery, following a structured approach to healing. I can honestly say it was one of the first places where I felt truly understood. The beauty of these fellowships is that everyone’s there for the same reason, and it’s not just about quitting the substances, it’s about finding a new way to live, a way where community plays a key role.

I threw myself into it. I attended meetings, shared my story, and listened to others who’d been where I was. The honesty, vulnerability, and support in those rooms helped me understand that I wasn’t alone. It wasn’t always easy, but it was real, and that’s what I needed. The recovery community became a lifeline, a place where I didn’t have to pretend I had it all together.

Beyond the meetings, I started following recovery influencers on Instagram, listening to podcasts, and surrounding myself with as much recovery related content as I could. These online spaces helped bridge the gap on days when I couldn’t make it to a meeting or when I just needed a little extra boost. It was like creating a bubble of support around myself, wherever I was.

Rebuilding My Sense of Belonging

Now, I’m the kind of person who thrives in community settings. I’ve realized that over the years. Living with 40 people in that NHS building taught me that I need to feel part of something, to be connected. And when I lost that physical sense of community, I had to actively seek it out in new ways. The recovery world gave me that for a long time, but lately, I’ve been feeling a bit distant from the communities I’ve been part of. It’s not like they’ve disappeared, but sometimes, you just feel a bit… disconnected, like you’re on the outside looking in.

And that’s okay. These things ebb and flow. But rather than wallow in it, I’ve been trying to find new ways to connect. I’ve applied for a few volunteer roles through Community Works, hoping to get more involved and maybe reignite that sense of belonging. These roles are right up my alley because they focus on supporting others, something that’s become really important to me since starting my recovery journey. Here’s what I’m looking into:

  • Gig Buddy Volunteer
  • 1-1 Support Volunteer for Children and Young Persons Service
  • Action for Happiness
  • Activities Lead Volunteer (Mental Health)
  • Community Champion
  • Sussex Nightstop
  • Community Volunteer for Youth Engagement Activities and Events

I’ve always loved events—whether I’m attending them, helping organize, or just being in the know about what’s going on. It’s that energy of people coming together for a common cause, that feeling of connection that I thrive on. I’d love to work in community events, maybe even help organize things, create spaces where people feel like they belong, just like I did once upon a time.

Micro-Communities: Spoilt for Choice?

The thing about the world today is that we’re absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to communities. There’s a micro community for EVERYTHING. Whether you’re into running, knitting, video games, spiritual growth, or like me, recovery. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options, but it’s also incredibly empowering. You get to choose where you want to plant your flag, so to speak.

For me, it’s been a mix of recovery communities, volunteering, and staying connected with others who share the same passion for helping. But what about you? What communities do you feel drawn to? Are there any you’ve been thinking about exploring but haven’t yet? It’s wild to think about how we can just choose our people, our tribe, in this massive, interconnected world. And while it can feel like we’re drifting sometimes, it’s comforting to know that there’s always a new community out there waiting to welcome us in.

Wrapping Up: Community as a Lifeline

In the end, community is everything. Whether it’s a big, bustling one like that old NHS building or a smaller, more intimate circle like the 12-step meetings, it’s those connections that ground us. For me, community has been a huge part of my recovery and my healing, and I know it will continue to be.

And as I dive into these new volunteer opportunities, I’m excited to see how I can contribute to creating that sense of belonging for others. Because at the end of the day, we all need it, don’t we? That feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves.

So, what about you? Where’s your community, and what role does it play in your life?

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