Why Is Choice So Important?

Finding the right recovery pathway is a deeply personal undertaking. What may work for one person may not for another.

One of my best friends and running buddy quit drinking and using about a month before I did. He chose the 12-step approach while I embraced Lifering’s secular platform.

My choice was right for me. I’m looking at 3 years of sobriety while my friend is looking at 25-to-Life for ten drug-related charges. Does that make his program wrong for him? Not necessarily.

There's no wrong way to get sober, but no recovery pathway can force you to pursue and celebrate sobriety. Finding a group or groups you can relate to helps foster commitment and accountability which in turn helps you empower your sober self.

LifeRing Secular Recovery encourages our members to explore alternatives. Many of my LifeRing friends participate in more than one recovery program, finding the mix-and-match approach is more effective for them. I have a person in one of my meetings whose primary recovery pathway is a step-program. LifeRing embraces everyone who’s committed to getting sober and staying sober in the way best for them.

Even within LifeRing, it’s good to “shop around.” Each meeting has its own personality -- a unique combination of convenor style and group participation. With over 70 weekly online meetings and 80 in-person meetings, LifeRing offers a lot of choices!

The right recovery pathway is the one that’s right for you!