Addiction is not simply about an obsession with a drug, food, or other pleasures. If you stay in a lifestyle long enough then you will build your whole life around it. Your routines, places you go, and the people you hang out with are all pieces to the puzzle of what your life can become. This is why it’s all too common to hear people say things in their recovery story like, “I finally realized that I needed to get rid of my friends to succeed.” No one wants to do that, but it is sometimes a necessary step toward recovery.
However, even if you do decide to take the step of backing off of your relationships so that you can get sober, social media will still be there. You can still spy on your old life and catch glimpses of what you’re “missing”. Don’t fret though. All you’re really missing is regret, guilt, and possibly a night in the hospital. Your new life in recovery is much fuller!
Obviously if your social media accounts are filled with windows into your old lifestyle then it’s probably best to cut those ties completely. If you don’t, you might begin to believe the illusion that their lives are more exciting than yours. It’s moments like those when a phone call from your old friends could easily end with you regretting your future choices and watching your recovery slip away. Don’t fall into a comparison trap. Just because you see a group of people with smiling faces engaging in what you are recovering from doesn’t mean their lives are more exciting than yours. There are adventures and joys far grander than theirs to be had in recovery.
If you can’t seem to pull yourself away from social media then there are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
- Hide posts from people that you know are still wrapped up in your old lifestyle.
- Add friends and family members to your accounts that will encourage your recovery.
- Post your victories online so that others see them. It can be encouraging to see your new friends lift up a cheer or two for your good choices. It’s also nice to see others who are in recovery showing their support on your media.
- Find a social group to hang out with to begin building a new network of friends. Sports leagues, religious institutions, and community groups all offer great ways to make new friends and build a lifestyle around healthy hobbies.
Finally, remember that you don’t have to be rude if you decide to take the path of leaving your old friends behind. Let them know that you are going to take a step back from hanging out with them in the name of recovery. Many who have done this have found that it actually encouraged some of their old friends to start their own journeys toward recovery. Sometimes you can even find yourself helping them out personally years down the road after your own recovery is on solid ground.
Treatment is a time for learning how to live again. Lakehouse Recovery Center offers a premiere residential treatment program and 12 month aftercare focused on healing mind, body, and spirit, while learning to have fun again in recovery. Call 877.762.3707 for more information.