7: Connectedness, Forming Positive Connection

Connection is concerned with peer support, support groups, relationships, having a sense of belonging and being part of a community (Leamy et al., 2011). Research has shown that those who connect and ask for help are more likely to be successful in their long-term recovery (Marshall et al., 2018; Melemis, 2015; Rettie et al., 2021), and that being connected to people with whom a positive relationship exists not only helps protect against relapse but also provides a healthy outlet to express emotions, whether joyful and happy, or upsetting and sad, both of which are necessary in recovery (Giacomucci et al., 2018; Rettie et al., 2021). Furthermore, the kindness that is extended through positive connection has the capacity to help restore people to a healthier way of life and improve their well-being (Dekkers et al., 2021; Eddie et al., 2019), where compassionate relationships offer a training ground for practising the healthy expression of emotion that serves to broaden the scope of positive experience (Fredrickson, 2004; Garland et al., 2010; Haslam et al., 2022).