Fresh Starts: Making Friends after Rehab

Can you imagine life without any friends? Oftentimes, one of the greatest challenges for people in Riverside, Calif. and elsewhere after being released from drug rehab is making new friends. The fact is, friends and social circles are highly influential on peoples’ behaviors and life choices. 

It might be hard to make new friends and end old friendships—especially if the old friends are ones that compel recovered addicts to pick up on harmful habits. Many drug rehab programs around the world offer group sessions that stress the importance of healthy friendships during and after the recovery process. Here are three ways to make good friends post-rehab to ensure lifelong substance sobriety. 

Ditch Old Habits and Negative Influences

Ever tried to kick an old habit to the curb? For most people in Riverside and nationwide that have overcome a drug addiction, saying goodbye to the past can be painful. To refrain from going down detrimental paths, though, recovered individuals need to realize that they’re better off without negative influences. 

The moment someone leaves a drug rehab program, he or she must avoid spending too much time with former troublesome buddies. Hanging around people who condone addictive behaviors makes a recovered addict susceptible to the negative consequences once again. Breaking old friendships is hard, but with time, it’s easy to form new, healthy friendships. 

Join Local Classes or Clubs

One of the best ways to meet new people is to join local classes or clubs. In Riverside and many other cities, there are many classes and group clubs. From cooking classes and art lessons, to recreational sports teams; the possibilities are endless. 

Life after drug rehab is a time for opening new doors and rediscovering oneself. Find something interesting, show up and start making new friends. It’s easy to find common ground with other people in these social clubs and classes, because chances are, they want to make new friends, too.

Don’t Isolate Yourself

It might take a few weeks to for people to adjust to life post-rehab, and they may want some alone time. But too much loneliness is a recipe for disaster. It is too easy for a recovered addict in Riverside or elsewhere to relapse if he or she doesn’t find some happiness in life.

Everyone is different, and that’s a fact. But, if one thing is certain, it’s that healthy support systems are valuable and critical for anyone overcoming an addiction. Breaking old habits, joining local clubs and spending time with happy people are just a few ways to make adjustment to life after drug rehab a little easier.

Aubrey Andersen-Bakker is a health writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Miramar Recovery Center.