Now and again, you might hear someone suggest that in today’s world, public libraries are no longer necessary. These arguments are generally pretty hollow and built around some assumptions that just are not true—like the false idea that everyone has equal access to the internet, for example.
The fact is libraries have continued to evolve to remain a vibrant part of the communities they serve. If you are a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, there are many ways your local library can be of service to you.
Info and Inspiration on the Library Shelves
For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when you mention a library is shelves and shelves of books. Having a robust collection of all kinds of books continues to be a core function of a library—and that collection can be a great place to discover information and inspiration related to your substance use disorders, treatment, and recovery.
For example, you might look in the nonfiction section of the library for books that offer strategies for maintaining your sobriety. You might find a novel or a collection of poetry that touches on themes related to recovery. You might seek out a memoir by someone who has struggled with a substance use disorder but found a way forward through treatment and a commitment to healthy choices. Or you might browse the library’s collection of movies and documentaries to find films that address issues around getting and staying sober.
Remember, this wealth of helpful material is available for you to check out at no cost. That means you can gain knowledge and motivation without upending your budget.
Find Something You Love on the Library Shelves
We do not want you to get the idea that the library’s collection of books and other media is only useful to you as a place to find resources related to your recovery. The library’s shelves are also filled with wonderful books that have nothing to do with substance use disorders. And sometimes, that is exactly what you need.
Rest and relaxation should be priorities for a person in recovery (indeed, they really should be priorities for everyone), and the library is the perfect place to find something to enjoy when you are taking a break from your busy schedule.
For example, you might enjoy reading novels, poetry, histories, comic books, or something else entirely. You might enjoy listening to audiobooks or watching movies or TV shows from the library’s collection. Or you might find information and ideas (and sometimes even equipment) for a hobby you enjoy. For example, if you love to cook, your library likely has a collection of cookbooks that could offer a seemingly endless assortment of recipes to try.
Get the Gang Together at the Library
One of the first things you may discover upon regaining your sobriety is that your social life needs to change in significant ways. You probably don’t want to meet up with your friends at a bar, for example—even if that has long been a tradition for your group. So you might need to find a new hangout. As it would turn out, the library may be just the place you are looking for.
That could very well seem unlikely to you, especially if you have not been in a library in a while. You might have an image of librarians shushing everyone in sight, which is not ideal for a gathering of friends. But these days, libraries tend to have lots of public spaces and meeting rooms and even coffee shops where folks can gather for any number of reasons—to have a conversation, to play a game, to work on a project, and more.
We Can Help You Write a New Chapter in Your Own Story
When you are in the grips of a substance use disorder, it is hard to imagine a happy ending to your personal story. As drugs or alcohol chip away at your physical and mental health, various aspects of your life—from your finances to your relationships and more—are likely to start crumbling as well. And if you try to give up the substances on your own, the rigors of withdrawal can send you scurrying back to the drugs or alcohol.
But that does not have to be the way your story ends. At Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—we provide personalized treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer medically supervised detoxification so that you can reclaim your sobriety in a safe environment. Our rehabilitation program is built around group and individual therapy and provides strategies, resources, and support for building a sober life after treatment. And we are committed to a continuum of care so that you can start your recovery journey with confidence.
Wooded Glen Recovery Center is counted among the best substance use disorder treatment centers in the country. We are eager to serve you as you work to rewrite the plot of your life.