One way to approach volunteer work and recovery is to think about them as one of the paradoxes of 12-Step recovery. These paradoxes include “surrendering to win,” “struggling to succeed,” and “easy does it to do it.” A paradoxical expression that most aptly applies to the question of “Does volunteer work benefit recovery?” is “You have to give it away to keep it.”
The Importance of Autonomy in Recovery
When it comes to recovery, it is always important to remember that ultimately no one is going to get an individual well other than themselves. This may sound like a paradox in itself, and it sort of is.
Of course, when an individual is struggling with addiction or other issues of mental health it is critical that they receive professional mental health and recovery care. However, if they don’t truly want that for themselves, they are not going to be able to absorb and accept the help they often so desperately need.
This is why many people who are not familiar with addiction are so surprised that negative social and familial consequences don’t cause an individual to seek recovery. Addiction is such a strong force that it can get in the way of everything an individual loves, including the people around them. This is why professional help is crucial. Somewhat paradoxically, individual recovery requires community.
The Importance of Community in Recovery
Let’s get back to 12-Step recovery for a moment. The first official 12-Step program was started by two individuals nearly 88 years ago. These people were Bill W. and Dr. Bob, and this program was Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
They determined that two things were going to keep them recovered. One was giving themselves over to a “higher power” (which they called God). The other was working with other individuals struggling with addiction. This is where the community comes in.
Helping others can help an individual get out of their own heads. Giving to others stops an individual from being selfish and allows them to be selfless. In 12-Step recovery, this selflessness involves working with others in the 12-Step program. However, giving should not stop there. It should also include working with and helping others in the community.
How Does Volunteer Work Benefit Recovery?
Being able to help others is critical in recovery. One of the reasons for this is that while struggling with issues of mental health and addiction, there often wasn’t even the option to help oneself. Therefore, when the gift of recovery is received, it should be shared with and used alongside others.
Volunteering in the community can help show someone that they are not alone in this world. Addiction often robs an individual of their connection to others. These connections must be re-established so that an individual can become a functional and positive member of the world around them. One of the best ways to do this is through volunteer work.
How does volunteer work benefit recovery? The answer is encapsulated in that paradoxical maxim, “You have to give it away to keep it.” By helping others, one can ultimately start to see that they have a purpose, they can make a difference, and that the world is a better place with them involved in it.
How Can Volunteer Work Benefit Recovery in the Long Term?
Another critical aspect of volunteer work and recovery is that it does not have to be limited to residential recovery. After acquiring the values of volunteering while in the recovery center, these values can be brought with people into their everyday lives.
When a person is involved in 12-Step recovery, it can be critical to stay connected to the 12-Step community. In a broader sense, staying connected to the community around oneself can help a person stay connected to the values set in their long-term recovery plan.
There is no short-term fix in recovery. It is a lifelong journey, and part of that journey is to help others along the way.
The Mission of Volunteering at Clearview
Here at Clearview, we believe in instilling the value of volunteering in all of our students. For example, we serve meals at senior centers weekly. We believe in taking care of those who always took care of us.
Our mission at Clearview Girls is not just to “solve” mental illnesses or addictions. Yes, we are here to help our students recover in the very specific physical, mental, and emotional ways that are foundational to getting well. However, we are also here to make sure that our students grow into young women who can become the positive future leaders of tomorrow.
In Mathew 25:40, Jesus Christ tells his followers, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This is what we teach our students as well. We impart to our students that “You have to give to receive.”
Here at Clearview Horizon Girls Academy, we promote volunteer work for our students. We believe a big part of recovery is giving back to the community. In 12-Step recovery, this is known as “you have to give it away to keep it.” We teach our students that there is more to life than their own needs. Our goal is to impart to students how volunteer work benefits recovery long term. If you feel like your daughter is struggling with issues of mental health and/or addiction, know you are not alone. We can help your daughter to recover. For more information on volunteer work and recovery, please reach out to Clearview Horizon today at 866-584-4788.
