Addiction is a disease that can consume one’s life and become one’s “identity.” Even in recovery, making active decisions to sustain sobriety and lead a healthy life can be consuming. However, life is not just about addiction and sobriety. It is important to understand there is a life outside of recovery and outside of addiction. There are ways to integrate sobriety and healthy decision-making into one’s life without it feeling like a chore.
Finding one’s identity outside of recovery is possible, and Clearview Horizon works with its students as they navigate their newly sober lives and find their identities beyond addiction. Girls are given the opportunity to explore their emotional and physical selves while in recovery. Learning about life skills through the life mentoring program at the academy is also prioritized to help the students create a well-rounded and progressive lifestyle.
Identity and Self Outside of Recovery
Because addiction and recovery are two areas of one’s life that are consuming, it is normal to feel like those are the only things that makeup one’s identity. However, there is a uniqueness in every single person, and tapping into one’s individuality is key. These are the components of one’s identity and self outside of recovery. Finding oneself while in the recovery process is important in creating a life outside of recovery. This may look like practicing self-discovery techniques through journaling or other holistic methods in order to find who the student is on the inside beyond addiction.
Similarly, social identities are a huge part of one’s life. When addiction is present, one’s social group aligns with those values, and when in recovery, that social group often changes as students are surrounded by other sober and recovering individuals. These two different social groups are also not the only things that help make up one’s identity. Community is built by other commonalities, and many students overlook this because they are so focused on recovery. However, it is about building a life outside of recovery and finding social groups revolving around hobbies and interests is key.
Finding Identity and Self Outside of Recovery With Clearview
Self-discovery is encouraged and practiced at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy. Here, students engage in emotional and physical self-discovery as well as practice important life skills. They also have the opportunity to connect with other students on a level that goes deeper than recovery and healing. Building friendships and connections is crucial in not only maintaining sobriety but also creating a life that is true to one’s inner self. The staff at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy Horizon Girls Academy is there to listen and understand students on a personal level, not just a clinical level.
Emotional and Physical Self-Discovery
As stated before, self-discovery is a significant part of finding one’s true identity outside of recovery. Students may feel like they have lost their sense of self to their addiction and only feel like recovery is their defining factor. This is not true by any means. Each student is unique, and self-discovery helps each student tap into their true identity. Emotional and physical self-discovery are two ways students can begin to find their identity outside of recovery. These two means of self-discovery help students engage with new practices that may spark their interest and become hobbies, all while encouraging healthy coping mechanisms and healing.
Emotional therapy at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy is done in weekly sessions (whether that be one longer session or multiple shorter sessions throughout the week) that are tailored to each student’s needs. This is also done in a whole group setting with every student and in specialized group settings that bring students with similar backgrounds together. Alongside these clinical therapy sessions are more holistic and experiential opportunities for the students to explore and express themselves in new ways. Art therapy and equine therapy help students communicate, creatively express themselves, understand their emotions and inner selves, develop companionship, and invite a sense of peace and calm into their lives.
There is also the physical side of self-exploration and identity outside of recovery. Students can participate in many physical activities, from aerobics to self-defense to dance and everything in between. Not only do these programs promote fun, but they promote health, well-being, and community. Instead of feeling stagnant with recovery or feeling like one’s identity is solely about sobriety and overcoming addiction, these physical activities introduce the students to several hobbies and interests they can incorporate into their lives and routines. These show students that their lives and identities are not bound by their addiction and recovery.
Lifestyle Mentoring for Self-Discovery
Discovering identity outside of recovery through life skills is equally as important as doing so through practicing different interests and hobbies. Practicing important skills such as cleaning, cooking, money management, and self-care help students become well-rounded individuals. While these skills may not appear to be “fun” on the outside, active engagement in these daily life skills shows students that they can be self-sufficient and functional outside of recovery and addiction.
Practicing these skills regularly to improve self-sufficiency at Clearview Horizon helps the students in the long and short term. In the long term, students are able to care for themselves and navigate life more smoothly. Short term, students are able to recognize that they can be self-sufficient and build an identity that fits with the productive lifestyle they have.
Here at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we understand that recovery and addiction can feel very consuming and overwhelming to the point where it feels like they are one’s whole, entire identity. However, through our various programs, students are able to engage in self-discovery practices that promote identity-building beyond recovery. For instance, students may participate in art therapy, where they can express themselves creatively to promote healing while also promoting an interest in a new hobby. In physical activities, students can find fun and enjoyment. With regular practice of life skills, students begin to build a self-sufficient life to encourage productivity. With whatever programs students participate in, finding one’s true identity is possible. Please call us at 866-584-4788 for more.
