Sports have been an integral part of my recovery and life to this point. I grew up learning to play numerous sports…golf, lacrosse, soccer and ice hockey to name a few. There is nothing like making a pass in soccer that sets up your teammate to score a goal or in golf when you hit a pure shot that lands perfectly next to the hole with mountains looming in the backdrop.
Growing up playing ice hockey I remember getting ready in the locker room before a game with my teammates and getting focused. During lacrosse, I remember certain sounds like when the ball hits the back of the net, or how my legs burned after running the field full sprint and dodging players. I still hear the sound of the cheering sidelines to this day.
Sports are very meaningful in so many ways, but let’s focus on team sports. A person can create lasting friendships with teammates that they see each time at the games. You also get the opportunity to share in the encouragement of others if it is their first time playing that sport. You are able to help teach or even learn from others about sportsmanship and character.
My fondest memories are giving and receiving pats on the back and high fives that last forever. You also learn at times how to lose as a team and through those losses you gain perseverance and the ambition to try harder or to remind yourself that it is just for fun and ultimately just a game. Additionally, you get to build people up and join together in every aspect that correlates with sports when you play as a team. Moreover, you work together as one unit just like in recovery.
Team Sports and Recovery Go Hand in Hand.
We gain relationships with people that we can reach out to and lean on in times of need.
We get to experience highs and lows just like when we are happy or going through a difficult situation. A person is also able to focus on that activity however long it might be and get lost in the release of endorphins and struggles we might be going through. You are able to reminisce after a game about a wonderful play that occurred. You get to shake hands after a match with the opposing team and congratulate them. All the while, you feel accomplished from a good sweat due to the exercising and hopefully had some laughs as well.
I have gained some of my lasting friendships during sporting events. Team sports have made me feel included and “a part of” something, instead of by myself. I hope for people to get out and experience a team sport so they can enjoy all of the lasting memories they have allowed me to have in my recovery and life.
Even if you end up just coming and watching a sporting event you can feel “a part of” and hopefully gain some lasting memories and friendships that can keep you sober another day. Happy holidays to all and I hope to run into you at sporting event wherever that might be. All the best and keep doing the deal!
Recovery Ways Hosts Team Sports for Our Recovery Community.
Recovery Ways offers sober volleyball, has an alumni softball team that plays regularly, and hosts many other team sporting events. These are designed to facilitate strength and camaraderie in the Salt Lake City sober community.
In addition to hosting these events, we also offer a variety of addiction treatments. We offer:
- Heroin addiction treatment
- Cocaine addiction treatment
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Fentanyl addiction treatment
- Prescription drug addiction treatment
If you are a Recovery Ways alum and want to get involved in our team sports, or want to know more about sports in recovery, contact 888.986.7848 today.
