When newcomers first walk into a recovery meeting, it's common for them to feel out of place. The sense of being an outsider can be overwhelming, as they look around and see people who seem to have it all together, or at least appear to. For many, the idea of fitting in or belonging to such a community feels distant, even impossible.
They may think, "These people don't understand me" or "My story is different." These thoughts stem from a deep sense of isolation that many people carry with them when they enter recovery. But what these newcomers don’t realize yet is that this feeling of not belonging is part of the process, and with time, it can change.
In the beginning, it's natural for people to focus on the differences between themselves and those around them. They might listen to the stories shared in meetings and think, “I never went through that,” or “My situation isn’t as bad as theirs.” This focus on differences serves as a defense mechanism—a way to maintain the sense of separateness that addiction often creates.
Addiction thrives on isolation, convincing individuals that their pain and struggles are uniquely theirs. So when a newcomer enters a space where people share openly about their struggles, they may instinctively resist identifying with those stories.
Yet, as the saying goes, "Keep coming back." There’s a reason why this phrase is echoed in recovery communities. It takes time for the walls that newcomers build around themselves to come down. With each meeting attended, each story heard, and each cup of coffee shared with another member, the sense of being different slowly begins to fade.
The important thing is to continue showing up, even when those feelings of not belonging are strongest. This consistency is what lays the foundation for eventual breakthroughs.
#addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #divineguidance
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