Mental health disorders like chemical dependency issues, compulsive behavioral issues, and co-occurring disorders like mood and personality disorders can create feelings of isolation. When surrounded by people who don’t, or can’t understand what it is like to live with the symptoms of mental health disorders, the experience can feel alone. Treatment is a time and place shared by other people experiencing the same journey. Though the details of each person’s story and path is unique, the shared experience of living with a mental health disorder and seeking recovery through treatment is a gift. Solidarity among peers in recovery is a highlight of both treatment and recovery.

Realizing Your Story Matters

Meeting other people who have lived with similar mental health issues is inspiring. Every person’s story of struggle, survival, and perseverance contains lessons and empowerments. Listening to other people freely share their story helps you to realize that your story matters as well. Low self-esteem and low self-worth often create beliefs that your story doesn’t matter, who you are doesn’t matter, and that your life couldn’t be of importance to anyone. Treatment helps you to realize you do matter and in the same way others’ stories inspire you, your story will inspire others. Your story could be the final motivation for someone to reach out and ask for help.

Discern Your Relationships.

Misery sadly loves company. One of the most popular arguments against going to treatment is the fear that someone will lose their friends. Friendships and relationships can end during treatment, because they do not serve a purpose in your new life of recovery. Drinking friends, drug using friends, friends who abuse themselves, or friends who abuse you, might not be equipped to meet you where you are at in your new life of recovery. When people go to treatment for mental health, it can trigger an insecurity in other people. Remember that people are in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Friends can come and go. The people who support you in your treatment and recovery are the most important
Our family at Cottonwood Tucson has been growing for over 20 years. Proven excellence in addiction rehab and behavioral health treatment in our residential programs helps clients find safety and understanding among peers. Participating in a strong alumni program after treatment, our clients continue to grow in their recovery. For information on our programs, call us today by dialing (888) 727-0441.