Anyone who has found recovery with a 12-Step program has heard (in meetings) or read (in program literature) about helping others. Whether it’s referred to as “carrying the message,” “working with others,” “having a service position,” or some other similar phrase, being of service is one of the foundations of recovery. It’s essential - both for maintaining personal sobriety and for ensuring 12-Step programs continue operating so that others can find recovery.
But, helping others is both more intricate and more broad than many of us realize.
Helping Others in Recovery
One of the reasons helping others is so important in 12-Step Programs is that it keeps us immersed in the message (and work) of recovery. We deepen our understanding each time we work through the steps with our sponsor or help someone else do the steps as their sponsor. When we make service commitments as meeting chairperson or coffee-maker, we benefit from listening to others and learning from them while also supporting others in their recovery. After years of sobriety, many problems in our lives improve, and it can be easy to believe we’re “cured.” But Substance Use Disorder never goes away. When we work with newcomers, we see the ravages of active addiction first-hand and are less likely to be tempted by “magical thinking” that we can now return to using alcohol or drugs.
Another reason service is so helpful for recovery is that it builds our self-esteem. Because of our sturggles with addiction, many of us have lost all self-respect - and often others had lost respect for us as well. By working with others, we recognize that we have something to offer. When we show up for commitments, we show ourselves and others that we can be reliable people that can be counted on.
Yet another reason that helping others is beneficial to recovery is that we can’t do it alone. Addiction thrives in isolation. Recovery requires connection with others. We build community. We receive and provide emotional support. We “can only keep what we have by giving it away.”
You don’t need to have a service position to be of service! Here’s a list of some of the dozens of ways to help others in recovery, no matter how much clean time you have:
Provide - or assist with - transportation to meetings.
Be a “greeter”.
Clean up after meetings.
Show up to meetings. Even when you don’t feel like it. Your experience, strength and hope might be the message someone needs to hear.
Reach out to someone who needs a friend.
Go to meetings in jails and treatment centers. You’ll not only provide a connection to recovery but to “the outside world” so participants do not feel so isolated.
Helping Others Isn’t Limited to 12-Step Programs
Volunteerism, or almost any form of selfless service, is an effective way to deal with depression and mental health challenges. It helps get us out of the negativity and self-absorbtion of only thinking about ourselves. Meanwhile, many people feel a sense of gratitude for what they do have when they help other people with their problems.
Additionally, service can be a form of creativity and self-expression. You have a unique message of hope and wisdom to offer others, just by having overcome your own personal struggles. Any challenge you have faced - and the lessons you have learned from it - can become the foundation for impassioned service. Examples include:
Serving as a mentor or peer advisor to help others navigate the social service system or the legal system.
Advocating for community-improving services, such as handicap accessibility, low-cost childcare, addiction treatment or any other cause that you feel personally invested in.
Transforming personal loss into a gift for others. One mother, who was feeling depressed about a holiday without her children, hid toys and surprises all over town for other children to find.
Help raise awareness about an important issue through public awareness campaigns or public policy changes.
There is no limit to how you can use your experience, strength and hope to benefit others, so get creative!
The Short-And-Sweet Summary
In truth, being of service can be virtually anything you do without the expectation of personal gain. It can be big or small, simple or complex, public or private. There are really only two things to remember:
Being of service helps us.
Being of service helps others.
There may be no better example of a truly win-win situation.
Want to stay sober? Want to feel better emotionally? Then, reach out and help someone else.
Save the Date: Saturday, June 17
Let’s go out to the ballpark! Join your fellow Asana Recovery Alumni for an Oklahoma City Dodgers game on Saturday, June 17 at 7pm.
Alum Spotlight
If you’d like to be featured in an Alum Spotlight feature in the newsletter, please contact your admissions counselor. If you don’t have their contact info, check the list below:
Kimberly Brave: 405-999-0550
Lyndsay Gasser: 949-922-0180
Krystal Smith: 949-244-6822