When you go through early recovery, your support network plays an invaluable role in the success of your journey. Many people find their faith-based support network is one of the most important social support groups they have. Therefore, belonging to a Christian fellowship group can strengthen the foundation of your recovery, whether it is an addiction support group or any fellowship group.
Fellowship
Fellowship is often associated with church and other religious organizations. However, the actual definition of the word fellowship really just means a group of equals that meet. Many fellowship groups meet to discuss their beliefs and search for spiritual enlightenment, which is why it is heavily associated with religion.
It provides a supportive environment where people are accepted and belong. This environment promotes the type of supportive social environment that is necessary for addiction recovery.
Social Support
When you go through recovery, you want to be sure to have a strong social network. Social support can be complex, and typically you will have several people or even groups that provide diverse pieces of the overall structure you need. You need some people who can impart important advice and information on how to continue on the road to recovery.
You also need emotional support, including someone to which to reach out if you feel you might relapse or encounter a tough situation. This might be a sponsor, a trusted friend or family member, or your therapist. A social network will also help you objectively see how well you are doing on your recovery, which can help you notice bad patterns before they become problematic.
Christian Based Recovery Fellowship
Many churches and other houses of worship offer recovery-specific fellowship group for members who have experienced addiction problems. By joining these groups, you can meet with people who have experienced some of the same problems you have faced.
They will provide support and often have invaluable advice to help you on your journey. In some churches, these groups will also discuss their faith and learn about God’s specific role in recovery. Other support groups may be more open to the interpretation to spiritual fellowship, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step support groups that do not promote one specific belief but instead accept all religions and belief systems.
Other Christian Fellowship
You should not only consider joining the fellowship groups specific to recovering addicts. Many people find that joining a church and engaging in any of the offered fellowship groups provides a foundation for their recovery. Becoming active at church imparts a healthy activity to replace drinking or using drugs.
You also are surrounded by people who typically provide good influences on you, which may be important if you find that many of your old friends enabled or influenced your use, or still drink or use drugs.
If you were to return to those friends, you would soon find yourself relapsing and returning to your bad habits. You can find new friends in a healthy and supportive environment by becoming active at church. Although the support of other addicts can always be helpful, you can find similar support from almost any fellowship group in a church. This will also help you to avoid feeling lonely, which could lead you back to your dangerous behavior.
Christian fellowship provides the support system you need to remain on the road to recovery, find new and supportive friends, and remain strong in your faith to rely on God to give you the strength to get through the tough times. Therefore, it should be one of the defining aspects of your recovery plan.