If you have a friend who struggles with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or both and has had trouble quitting but wants to try again, ann arbor compassion club can be a godsend. These clubs offer sober social environments where addicts can go for recreation and interact with others without the pressures of drink or drug use. You should never confront your addicted friends about their addiction in the hopes of pressuring them out of it- this will only lead to resentment at best and relapse at worst- but compassionate companionship is a different matter. Compassion club members are trained in working subtly with addicts without pushing them towards abstinence if they make no indication that they want it at that time.
8 tips to take advantage of compassion clubs are:
1. Know your limits.
If people in a compassionate club are drinking, you should try not to get drunk yourself. You want to be responsible and not make a fool of yourself as well as set a good example for others who may stop by.
2. Don’t take advantage of the compassion club members’ generosity
It could be awkward if sober people occasionally buy drinks for those who appear to be intoxicated, so do remember that they are there to help, not take advantage of their good nature.
3. Don’t take advantage of their remorse
While you shouldn’t drink with them if they are drunk, compassion club members who are intoxicated should never be treated as if they are pariahs, particularly if they feel remorse over how they acted when they were intoxicated. Many addicts who have had difficulties with sobriety are very remorseful of their past misdeeds and will be very open to receiving help. Do not use that to your own advantage in order to get the addicts back on their feet.
4. Be aware of how you may be perceived.
The reason compassion clubs exist is to avoid the stresses of friends and family pressuring addicts into abstinence, so it is important that you don’t embarrass them with your intervention attempts or potential drunken behavior. If people come into a compassion club inebriated, they should not be surprised if they are given some kind of warning or told as much as possible about your intentions and behavior.
5. Don’t confuse compassion club members with recovery groups.
Often, compassion club members are struggling with the same problems as addicts, but they are not in recovery groups. If a member of a compassion club is trying to get sober and is in a recovery group, they also need to stay away from getting drunk in the presence of others. People who use these clubs often have little to no knowledge of alcohol and drug rehab, instead coming here expecting to be looked after in a discreet manner while they recover from addiction. Recovery groups can be very helpful, but do not confuse compassion clubs with them, or with support groups for family and friends.
6. Don’t take advantage of their generosity by dishonestly paying for drinks for others.
Each person who pays for their drinks is contributing to the cost of keeping the club running, and there is a risk that people will be upset if they feel like they have been taken advantage of. This could lead them to feel taken advantage of and like you are trying to scam your way out of a bad situation.
7. If something you say to an addict is misconstrued as a criticism, apologize without giving excuses.
It can be very difficult for addicted people to hear why they are not successful through the rehabilitation process, so if you become frustrated with them and this starts to spill over into your relationship, apologize without giving excuses. Many addicts have great difficulty in finding people who will talk with them about their addiction, and many are afraid to try even the most mundane things, such as going to lunch or a bar for a drink, because you may be there and berate them in front of other people. Try not to take advantage of that emotionally vulnerable situation.
8. Do not try to get someone who doesn’t want your help back on track if they are open about their willingness to quit drinking or other drugs.
Do not try to pressure them into abstinence- they are the ones who must make the decision, and if you are forced to choose between their sobriety or your friendship, clearly it is the latter. Try to be aware of opportunities for intervention, but do not push an addict who is already open to quitting.
Conclusion:
The main purposes of compassion clubs are to provide clean environments where addicts can meet with others who have similar problems without the pressures they may perceive in other parts of society, and to offer non-judgmental help and support in their attempts to quit. By knowing your limits and using the tips above, you can make sure that you take full advantage of the opportunity compassionate people have provided you with.
