Having a Diverse Friend Circle Aids in Quicker Recovery From Drug Addiction
“Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness.”
- Euripides
Time and again, the same thought has been voiced by several writers, poets, authors and celebrities who consider good friends to be a gift of God. Friends can make or mar a person’s life forever. For example, an individual having a friend circle doing drugs will be inevitably drawn into a life of drugs sooner or later. In comparison, someone whose friend circle is not involved in drugs will stay clean.
In the event that one is somehow drawn into the web of drug abuse, the chances of his or her recovery post detox and therapy depends on how and whom he/she interacts with after the rehab. Past studies indicate that spending more time with friends who are on the road of improvement or are engaged in meaningful activities hastens rehabilitation and chances of living a sober life later on.

A recent study has reiterated the same. It explored the role of social networks in aiding recovery from addiction and indicates that transition from addiction to sobriety depends on the level of one’s social connectedness. The study was published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology in January 2017, and it raised the question, “Is it me or should my friends take the credit?”
Study findings
The study involved a total of 537 participants comprising 312 women and 257 men aged 15 to 76 years, who were assessed on the basis of a 15-minute Australian Life in Recovery (ALIR) Survey. The questionnaire was designed to find what the respondents experienced during their peak addiction time and what they experienced during their recovery. It was also aimed at assessing their overall quality of life.
The well-being of the participants was judged on the basis of their abstinence from drugs, the time they spent in recovery and their age. More than 80 percent of the participants of the survey had a drug or alcohol abuse problem for the past eight years. The participants’ social network was judged on the basis of:
- number of important people;
- the proportion of users with alcohol use disorder (AOD) in the social network;
- the proportion of people in recovery in the social network;
- multiple group membership.
A significant 60 percent of respondents acknowledged that while they were addicted to drugs, their friend circle chiefly constituted of people who were abusing drugs or alcohol. In comparison, a resounding 90 percent of respondents said that once they decided to get sober, the number of those abusing drugs also dropped.
Respondents who indicated that they had a more diverse friend circle experienced a better quality of life. On the contrary, participants with limited social circle indicated a poorer quality of life. The researchers also found that those whose friend circle largely comprised recovering people were more likely to get involved in support programs.
This is the first study to highlight that social circles have a positive role in addiction recovery process. It also stressed on the need to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences and not just those who are sailing in the same boat. This strengthens the social identity and boosts confidence.
Road to sobriety
Addiction to any drug or alcohol pose danger to one’s physical and mental health. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate help and get the treatment started before matters go out of hand. If you or your loved one is struggling with an addiction-related problem, contact the Arizona Drug Addiction Helpline to get information on the finest drug addiction treatment center in Arizona. You can call at our 24/7 helpline number 866–576–4147 for further information on the rehabilitation centers in your vicinity offering holistic treatment programs.
