How Giving Back Strengthens Recovery While Reducing Stress, Depression, and Anxiety
Recovery is about so much more than staying away from substances: it’s about rebuilding a purposeful, connected life. One of the most powerful, and often unexpected, tools for strengthening recovery and overall mental health is giving back.
Whether through volunteering, donating, supporting someone else on their journey, or simply doing small acts of kindness, giving back can transform your mental and emotional well-being in ways that directly support long-term recovery and overall mental-health.
How it works:
1) Helping Others Reduces Stress Levels
When you do something kind for someone else—volunteer, donate warm clothing, or lend a listening ear—your brain releases “feel-good” chemicals (think: dopamine and oxytocin). This helps lower cortisol, reduce muscle tension, and increase feelings of calm. Small acts of service, especially those that involve social interaction, can interrupt stress cycles that might otherwise lead to heightened cravings or relapse.
2) Volunteering Increases Feelings of Purpose and Worth
Many people in early recovery feel like they need to rebuild their identity and find a new direction in life. Giving back restores a sense of purpose by allowing you to see your positive impact, feel valued, and reconnect with strengths you may have forgotten. Finding purpose helps you stay motivated and committed even when life throws challenges and stressors your way.
Many people in recovery struggle with guilt, shame, or feeling like they’re ‘bad’ for struggling with addiction. Remember: You are NOT your addiction, and struggling does NOT make you a bad person. That said, volunteering can be a great way to start feeling good about yourself again–showing yourself that you are a good person! (Because it’s true!)
3) Giving Back Reduces Symptoms of Depression
Depression is a very common symptom of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), psychological and emotional symptoms–including anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep problems, and trouble concentrating–that can occur for up to 2 years after the initial physical withdrawal phase. Volunteering helps reduce depressive symptoms by providing structure, boosting self-esteem, encouraging positive social interaction, and shifting focus away from negative thoughts.
4) Service Builds Strong, Supportive Relationships
Giving back naturally helps you form healthy, supportive relationships with people who share your values. These connections offer accountability, emotional support, and a sense of belonging—all of which reduce relapse risk.
Related: Creating a Support Network in Recovery
5) Giving Back Reinforces Your Own Progress
Helping someone else strengthens your own foundation of self-esteem. Service keeps you grounded in gratitude and empathy and reminds you of how far you’ve come on your recovery journey!
Now that you understand the benefits of giving back, here are some great ways to get started:
1) Volunteer
With us or another local nonprofit, animal shelter, school, or community event. If you can, build volunteering into your weekly, monthly, or yearly schedule, by signing up for the same event(s) every year or picking one organization that resonates with you to volunteer with regularly.
2) Donate
Old clothing, nonperishable food, or basic needs items–whatever fits in your budget! It can be as simple as cleaning out your closet annually and donating unused or ill-fitting items to a local thrift store, or picking up a few extra groceries each month to donate to a local food bank.
3) Support Someone Struggling
Offer a ride when someone needs transportation, listen without judgment when a friend needs to talk through a challenge, or support someone on their recovery journey. Supporting friends and family is a great way to give back, especially if they have supported you in the past.
4) Do Small Acts of Kindness
Hold the door for someone, pay a compliment, help a neighbor with chores, or leave a kind note. Little gestures have a powerful ripple effect—for you and others.
5) Share Your Recovery Story
When the time feels right, sharing your journey can offer hope, direction, and encouragement to someone who feels alone. Your story might be exactly what someone needs to hear and can help remind you of the progress you’ve made.
Related: Share Your Recovery Story (Anonymously) With Us
Now, don’t feel overwhelmed by this list! Giving back doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Pick one or two of the above areas and try to engage in them at a level that brings you joy but doesn’t cause you added stress. For example, you can intentionally do one random act of kindness every week and volunteer monthly, walking dogs at your local shelter.
The Takeaway:
Every time you give back, you help someone else and strengthen your own path to healing. Whether you volunteer with us or another local organization, your actions make a real difference in our community, while helping you build a more grounded, connected, and fulfilling life in recovery.
Written by Liz Haas, Recovery Resources Digital Marketing & Outreach Specialist
