Community Reinforcement for Long-term Recovery
Recovery Tools from Asana Recovery, 2023
In AA and other 12-Step programs we learn that we need social/emotional support for our efforts to stay sober once we leave the Asana Recovery residential program. We also recognize that supporting others in their recovery helps us stay sober. In Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), this is known as “Community Reinforcement,” and can occur outside a 12-Step group or recovery community.
Reinforcing Abstinence is Essential for Long-term Sobriety
According to DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition by Marsha M. Linehan, “Reinforcers in your environment play a powerful role in encouraging or discouraging addictive behaviors.”
The DBT program advises: “To stop addictive behavior, you have to figure out how to make a lifestyle without your addictive behaviors more rewarding than a lifestyle with your addictive behaviors.”
DBT uses the term abstinence for what we usuaqlly call “sobriety” or “recovery” and requires that we replace “addiction reinforcers with abstinence reinforcers.”
Replacing Addiction Reinforcers with Abstinence Reinforcers
At Asana Recovery as well as in our 12-Step meetings we’ve probably heard that we may need to avoid situations that trigger us and possibly cut off relationships with people who are in active addiction. We’ve also learned that the sense of connection and support we feel with others in recovery helps us stay sober. DBT broadens that circle of “community” even further with the following suggestions:
Search for people to spend time with who aren’t addicted.
Increase the number of enjoyable activities you engage in that do not involve your addiction.
If you cannot decide what people or activities you like, sample a lot of different activities and get to know a lot of new people.
Your own family and non-addicted friends can also provide community reinforcement as long as they understand and respect your commitment to staying sober. And, you may need to do some exploring to find new activities for fun and bonding that don’t revolve around drinking or drugs.
Consider joining a sports league, taking a cooking class, joining a craft group or getting involved with a religious organization you align with. Of course, local 12-Step meetings and “fellowship” activities are a great option too. Once you turn your back on the settings and people connected to your addiction, you’ll find numerous opportunities for fun activities and meaningful relationships!
Questions? Comments? Personal experiences? Tell us in the ‘comments.’