Sense of Purpose in Recovery
Finding Purpose In Recovery by Richard Jones
Finding purpose is one of the most important aspects of finding peace, contentment and well-being. Purpose and meaning are essential parts of the good life. Purpose is especially important when it comes to dealing with challenges and suffering in life. We know that bad things can happen to good people. We know that it is impossible to avoid suffering. It is part of life. How do we make sense of this reality? Having purpose and meaning in one’s life can make a huge difference. Purspose provides us with a compass to navigate our way through the difficult times.
In Man’s Search For Meaning, Viktor Frankl articulated the benefits of striving to find purpose and meaning in the following way: “For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it.”
Happiness, or subjective well-being (SWB), is the result of striving to fulfill your purpose. You will not experience more SWB simply by attaining a goal. Or gaining a new and shiny possession. Rather, you will experience more SWB by striving to live within your purpose. The increase in SWB is a “side effect” of working within one’s purpose. Or better yet, having meaning in your life.
It is important to note. Purpose is NOT always obvious. When we think about finding meaning and purpose we tend to focus on stereotypical “made for TV” pursuits. Saving the world type stuff. In our mind’s eye, we envision some type of dramatic and noteworthy pursuit.
Purpose and meaning are more likely found in the everyday drudgery of our life. The parents who work to put food on the table and sacrifice daily for their children. The employee who puts in time over the course of the week and volunteers at church on the weekends. Purpose is NOT (primarily) found in high-profile “change the world” activities. It’s found in the sanctity of everyday life.
Purpose and meaning positively impact SWB in our day to day lives. Improving our spirit and enhancing quality of life across the board. However, purpose and meaning are also essential for our understanding of suffering. Making meaning in the in the middle of suffering is one of the most effective ways to walk through terrible circumstances. Finding purpose makes it possible to function in the face of unacceptable outcomes.
In recovery, a sense of purpose is readily available for all of us. Captured in the popular slogan “you have to give it away to keep it”. The sense of service to others can carry the day. Our commitment to helping others suffering with substance use disorders fills that void. We have a built-in opportunity to focus beyond our own needs. This service ethic is essential for happiness and subjective well-being.
Interestingly, the “positive impact” of service work goes beyond any particular pathway of recovery. It’s not a recovery only phenomenon. Service is a human phenomenon. A matter of human beings being human. The service structure is baked into and embraced in recovery rooms. That said, one can find service work across all aspects of society. In our family. In our community. In our professional work.
In my experience, service has been an essential part of my well-being. In general, the more I give, the more I receive. However, it is possible to overdo things. If you give too much, burnout, resentment and toxic stress come for you!
Serve. But keep it in balance and remember you serve in many different ways.