You have probably heard someone say something like, “There are two types of people in the world: those who like pineapple on pizza and those who are wrong.” There are all kinds of variations on the “two types of people” trope—some serious and many humorous.
Of course, given the complexity of the world, the “two types of people” idea is far too simplistic to fully explain very much. Nevertheless, we are willing to employ the “two types” notion to explain something important about recovery. Here goes:
There are two types of people in the world: those who support your recovery and those who don’t.
Let’s look at the characteristics of each of these groups.
First Type of People: Those Who Support Your Recovery
When you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, there are a whole bunch of people in your life who hope you will find your way to treatment and recovery. After you do, these individuals are likely to be ready to support you as your recovery journey gets underway.
What will that support look like? Well, in this group, you will find people who are happy to spend time with you in substance-free environments. They might forego a glass of wine with dinner or a beer at the ballpark in solidarity with your efforts to leave alcohol behind. These are the friends and family members who will take your call anytime, day or night, to help see you through a tough moment.
Importantly, these are also people who are committed to building you up rather than tearing you down. Recovery can be hard work. Knowing that those close to you are rooting for your success can be a real difference maker.
There are other folks who fall into this category, too, including the members of your recovery meeting group, your sponsor, your therapist, your doctor, and more. Remembering that you have lots of support in recovery can be helpful as your journey unfurls. That support can see you through many tough moments.
Second Type of People: Those Who Don’t Support Your Sobriety
It might seem unlikely to you that there are people in the world who do not support your sobriety. But there are—even if some of those people do not even realize they fall into this category.
Who are these people? Some of them are the folks you used to drink or do drugs with. If these people are still using substances, hanging out with them can only cause problems. Even if you considered them friends, it is in your interest to leave those relationships behind in recovery.
Others who are not supportive of your recovery are those who insist on reminding you about mistakes you have made in the past or who argue that you have ruined your future. Similarly, those who maintain you will never be able to keep your recovery going or who suggest that your problems with drugs or alcohol stem from a lack of character or morals or willpower or faith are not individuals who support your efforts to change your life for the better. People who tear you down in an effort to build themselves up are also potential problems for your recovery.
You also need to be careful around people who pepper you with questions about why you are not drinking or why you have given up drugs. You do not want to spend much time with people who insist on drinking—especially to excess—in your presence or who always seem to have drugs readily available, even though they know you are in recovery.
Okay, We Acknowledge There are Other Types of People
As we have noted, the world is a complex place, and you will likely encounter plenty of people who do not fall neatly into either of the categories we have identified. There will be people, for example, who likely want to be supportive but are made uncomfortable by the fact that you are in recovery for one reason or another. There will be people who say the wrong thing at the wrong time without realizing they are doing it—and who would be horrified if they did realize it. And, of course, there will be plenty of people who are simply indifferent about your recovery. After all, everyone you meet is dealing with their own challenges and may not have the wherewithal to think about yours.
But our point still stands: You want to spend your time with those who support you in recovery and avoid those who do not.
We are Part of the First Type of People
Everyone at The Farley Center—located in Williamsburg, Virginia—is dedicated to helping you leave drugs or alcohol behind. We provide personalized treatment plans grounded in evidence-based practices. You can count on us to bring a spirit of empathy to every interaction as we work together to help you reclaim your life.
We are unequivocally among the people who truly support your recovery efforts. When you are ready to make a change that will transform your life, we are ready to help you reach that important goal.
