We probably do not have to tell you that many, many people have at least one pet. Current statistics reveal that 66 percent—that’s two thirds—of American households include a pet. That means there is a pretty good chance that you, the person who is reading this blog entry right now, have a pet.
But there is also a reasonable chance that you do not. And we would like to suggest that if you are a person in recovery from a substance use disorder who does not have a pet, you might want to give some serious thought to getting one.
You might wonder what having or not having a pet could possibly have to do with sobriety and recovery. We are happy to explain.
The Benefits You Can Get From Having a Pet
There are a number of ways a pet can support your recovery. Among them:
- A pet offers unconditional love. Now, we admit that some pets—dogs, for example—are better at this than others—fish, for example. But many pets provide loving companionship that can help stave off feelings of loneliness. (They are also good at listening without offering unhelpful advice.)
- A pet can help provide purpose. Recovery has plenty of challenges—and mental health issues can exacerbate those challenges. Having a pet can help you deal with difficulties and temptations because your animal companion relies on you for care. That responsibility can be the motivation that gets you through a tough time.
- A pet can help reduce stress. Petting an animal has been shown to reduce stress levels, and that can be extremely helpful to a person in recovery. Managing stress without turning to drugs or alcohol can be difficult, but interacting with an animal friend is one good strategy for keeping stressful feelings under control.
You Can Interact with Animals Even if You Don’t Have a Pet
The idea of having a pet might be appealing to you, but you might not be able to right now. Maybe you are renting your living space and aren’t allowed to have pets. Maybe someone in your family is allergic to the kind of animal you would most like to have. Maybe the cost of pet ownership would put a strain on your budget. Or maybe you just don’t feel up to the commitment right now.
Fortunately, there are other ways to interact with animals and still enjoy some or all of the benefits of having a pet.
For example, you could volunteer at a local animal shelter. Shelters are frequently in need of volunteers, and the time you spend with animals waiting for their forever homes can be deeply rewarding.
If you have friends with animals, you may be able to interact with those pets with some frequency. For example, you could join your friend and their dog for walks, which offers a trifecta of benefits that support your sobriety: time spent with a good friend, time spent with a furry friend, and time spent exercising. You could offer to pet-sit when your friend needs to be away. And, of course, any time you visit your friend you might have the opportunity to interact with their pet. Sharing with your friend the ways in which spending time with animals can support your sobriety is a great way to get started.
There may be additional options in your area. You might visit or volunteer at a petting zoo or become a member of your local zoo (ideally one with generous, appropriate habitats and a commitment to supporting species in danger of extinction) so that you can visit frequently. You might take up birding or spend time in natural environments where you might spot (but not interact with!) a variety of creatures.
We Are Ready to Help You Get and Stay Sober
At Bel Aire Recovery Center—located near Wichita, Kansas—we are devoted to the project of helping people regain and maintain their sobriety. We provide personalized treatment for substance use disorders as well as co-occurring mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and issues centered on traumatic experiences.
Our program includes three equally important portions. First, we offer medically supervised detoxification, which provides a safe and temptation-free environment for weathering the difficult withdrawal period. After detox, we offer a rehabilitation program built around group and individual therapy sessions. And after rehab, each individual we serve can count on a continuum of care designed to help them start their recovery journey with confidence.
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol but have been reluctant to seek out help, we understand. Coming to terms with a substance use disorder can be challenging for any number of reasons. But we also know that treatment is the most effective way to reclaim your sobriety—and your life. When you are ready to get started, we are ready to get to work.
