As you go through treatment for your drug addiction, your counselors will repeatedly emphasize the value of finding positive things to do with your life. Some people turn to exercise after they get clean, and find that they can dedicate themselves to getting in shape with the same intensity that they dedicated to their drug addiction. Another pursuit that you might wish to consider, and that your addiction counselors will probably recommend, is volunteering. A wide range of organizations in your community are likely looking for volunteers, so you can find an opportunity that suits your interest level and lend a hand in the service of others. Here are some reasons that volunteering is a good activity for you in this situation.

It Fills Your Time

One of the biggest challenges of trying to stay sober after you've gone through drug treatment is avoiding boredom. Boredom can often open the door to getting involved with drugs once again, so it's valuable for you to keep your downtime to a minimum. Volunteering is a perfect opportunity for filling this void because you can set your hours to suit you. For example, if you commonly used drugs on weekends but were straight during the week, you can set your volunteering schedule so that you're occupied every Saturday and Sunday.

It Isn't Stressful

Stress can also elevate your risk of a relapse, which is why your addiction counselors will commonly suggest that you stay out of stressful situations. Generally, volunteering isn't overly stressful. The ability to set your own hours and the fact that you're unlikely to get fired can make this activity enjoyable. Conversely, while there can be some benefits to getting a job, it can also create stress. You may end up working a schedule that doesn't suit you, and you may constantly be worried about your performance costing you your job.

You Won't Want To Let Others Down

Serving others can be powerful in a number of ways, but when you've gone through the often-selfish world of drug addiction, it can feel good to start to live for other people in a sense. If your volunteering role helps people in need in the community, you might feel a desire to avoid letting them down. For example, if you're volunteering at a food bank and you know that the work you do is beneficial to the lives of many community members, you may know that having a relapse and no longer showing up will let down those you want to help.

To learn more about drug addiction recovery, contact a company like Comfort Recovery LLC.