Rehab may have helped you detox, but once you sign those discharge papers, the responsibility of staying sober falls on you. Once you’ve left your inpatient treatment program, you’ll need to devote yourself to maintaining your sobriety for the rest of your life. In other words, the real work begins once you’re on your own. This is why building good social health is so important for your physical and mental health during your post-rehab active recovery.

What is Social Health?

Social health is exactly what it sounds like: building and maintaining a circle of friends and family comprised of supportive people who want what’s best for you and your physical, mental and emotional well-being. So, what does having good social health do for your active recovery?

Cut Toxic Ties

The people that supported your addiction will most likely not support your sobriety. In fact, they might even try to sabotage your efforts to stay sober. If at one time these “friends” were the only people you were close to, it’s understandable that saying goodbye for good will be painful. But it is necessary for the sake of your health, which is now your priority.

Reconnect and Forge New Friendships

It’s very common for addicts to leave behind hobbies and activities that used to mean a lot to them in favor of feeding their addictions. This might also mean that they’ve also left behind loved ones that they used to do those things with. During the low points of your addiction, you may have burned bridges without even realizing it. By making amends, which is already an important part of the recovery process, you can rebuild your social health. You can even strengthen your social health by making new friends, too. It would be very easy to make new sober friends by doing the following activities:

Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet new people, reconnect with old friends and stay sober all at the same time. Helping others gives you something new to focus on and reduces your risks of relapse because it distracts from cravings and steers you away from harmful triggers. Opportunities to volunteer exist everywhere, giving you the chance to work with animals, children, the elderly, or even with a drug treatment program to help others get sober.

Going to Sober Bars

Sober bars, sometimes called dry bars, cater to people who are still in rehab and also to people in active recovery outside of rehab. However, sober bars are also a popular spot for people who never liked to drink in the first place. Since the target demographic is 100% sober, you’ll have no trouble making new, like-minded friends at one of these bars.

Attending Sober Venues

Depending on where you live, a lot of communities offer a variety of sober activities like as fishing, biking, rock climbing, hiking, marathons, and much more. Additionally, there may be travel agencies in your area that have information about sober cruises, retreats, amusement parks and other recreational activities. The best part is that any of these activities can be done on your own or with a group of friends.

Hosting Sober Parties

New to the neighborhood? Make a great first impression with your new neighbors by hosting a party! You can easily throw a sober party by utilizing a band, a comedian, games, a movie viewing or anything else unique that will leave an impression and be fun without the need for alcohol. But don’t forget the food!

Social Health and Sobriety in the Long Run

The best way for you to stay sober is to build relationships with friends who will support you and your health. To build your social health, you need to go out and meet new people, reconnect with your old friends, and ultimately recognize that you are always worth their time. Social health is comprised of mutually supportive friendships that support your commitment to stay sober and healthy.

Rebuilding Your Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social Health with Wellness

Staying sober will be challenging, but it will be easier if you build strong social health. If you are struggling with addiction, the professionals at Wellness Retreat Recovery Center are here to help you tackle the first steps of your recovery. For more information, please review our programs or call us at 888-821-0238.