When you recover from addiction, and you are finally sober, one of the things you need to be intentional about is your association. You might need to vet your network of friends, to see who you may be letting go because your health is more important.
If you have toxic friends who are likely to encourage habits that might end up in addiction, it is necessary that you relate with them at arm’s length.
During this phase of your life, you need sober individuals as friends to keep your sobriety in place and prevent the risk of a relapse. Below are some important reasons why having sober friends is important.
They might have experience as former addicts
One of the reasons why you need sober friends is because life after addiction recovery can be lonely especially if people around you do not understand what you are going through.
Some of your new sober friends might have been addicted before, and having them in your corner can be useful in navigating this new and lonely path. Importantly, they can help you handle the stigma that sober people often experience.
They can support you
When you have sober friends in your corner, you are not alone. Sometimes, you might feel discouraged to discontinue your sobriety journey, and you could be tempted to quit.
However, sober friends will hold your hands and provide the necessary support that will sustain your sobriety in the long run. They will look out for you to ensure that you don’t fall into the web of addiction again.
They will introduce you to healthy ways of having fun
It is important to mention that some people develop an addiction when they engage in an unhealthy way of living which is under the guise of hobbies or interests.
Someone who has been sober for a long time might have figured out a way to navigate some of these unhealthy activities. Hence, they are likely to introduce you to healthier alternatives that will prevent you from having a relapse.