As people move along in recovery, there’s often a growing desire to “giveback” to the recovering community. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what to do or where to start. We asked Dr. Penny Ziegler, Medical Director, about her thoughts on how to pursue giving-back.

Describe the need to contribute to the recovering community?

There’s a huge need. I’ve always believed that one of the most valuable advocates for a disease is the person that has personally experienced the disease, received treatment and/or survived. Recovering addicts have so much to offer the recovering community and they possess tremendous resources to help contribute to outreach, education, treatment, insurance, workplace, and other recovery needs.

What type of resources are needed?

This is a great question because the needs are countless, so the possibilities are great. I’ll keep it short and simple— Think big, think small… the needs are everywhere.

How about getting started?

To know what we can giveback is an important part of understanding what it means to be a part of the recovery community. At the start, it’s valuable to confront the basics with “sober judgment.” Then, move on to the various “how-tos”— how to be open to opportunities, how to make yourself available, and/or how to express what you’re passionate about in recovery.

What about the “basics?”

No matter where you are in recovery or where you want to go, the twelve-steps provide a fundamental “system” for addressing and making changes in recovery. This is an excellent starting point. Addressing the basics will help keep you grounded.

What steps first come to mind?

If you are interested in outreach, advocacy or becoming a more active part of your community, first, ask yourself what step am I working on or reworking at the present time. Several steps naturally come to mind, Steps Four, Eight, Nine, and Ten. Here, the twelve-steps provide a proven method to both evaluate where you are in recovery and, also, to move forward.

For example, if you are wanting to “personally” giveback to the recovering community, it might be valuable to revisit Step Four or rethink Step Ten in order to address your personal inventory. Or, maybe, you’re looking at Step Eight or Step Nine again? If you are reviewing these steps, “making amends” is often a step where you can explore and integrate giving-back to the recovering community.

Other thoughts?

Like with any new interest or change, it’s often helpful to work with your sponsor, homegroup and/or other support resources to define or redefine your goals and objectives. You have already been through a lot together and he/she should have significant insight and be willing to support you in the “right” direction. Along this same path, your homegroup members will also be able to provide a base of operations to help support your interest in giving-back to the recovering community. They can help you stay balanced and make “positive choices” as you move forward and giveback to the recovering community.