We all want to feel like our lives matter. Whether it’s through caring for others, working toward a dream, exploring your creativity, or simply showing up with compassion, a sense of purpose is more than a motivational buzzword—it’s a foundation for health, resilience, and recovery. But purpose isn’t the same for everyone. And that’s exactly the point.
What Does a Sense of Purpose Look Like?
The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at the University of California, Berkeley, states that “Like happiness, purpose is not a destination, but a journey and a practice. That means it’s accessible at any age, if we’re willing to explore what matters to us and what kind of person we want to be—and act to become that person.”
So, in essence, having a sense of purpose is the guiding “why” behind your intentions. It’s not always a high-powered career or a big life goal, although it can be. It might also be small, personal, and deeply meaningful actions.
Here are some examples of what a sense of purpose might look like:
- A parent wakes up early to help their child get to school on time, fueled by love and responsibility.
- An artist creates paintings that express emotion and connect with others.
- A person in recovery mentors someone else newly sober, sharing their experience and extending hope.
- A retiree volunteers at a local library, finding joy in giving back.
- A young adult commits to living a more sustainable lifestyle for the sake of the planet.
Purpose doesn’t require perfection. It just asks that you care about something bigger than yourself—and stay connected to it.
Why Does Having Purpose Make Your Recovery Better?
For people managing substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD), developing a sense of purpose can be life-changing—and life-saving. Here are just a few reasons why.
It Fills a Void
Addiction often becomes a substitute for meaning—a way to escape from or cope with adverse childhood experiences, for example, or feel something other than troubling symptoms of mental health issues. So for some people, recovery leaves a void, especially early on. Purpose fills that gap with something authentic. It gives you a reason to stay sober, even when it’s hard
It Rebuilds Identity
Substance use or mental health struggles sometimes erode self-worth and create guilt and shame. A purpose-driven life offers a way to rewrite that story. When a person managing AUD, SUD, or a dual diagnosis volunteers, helps others, returns to school, or sets personal goals, they’re building an identity not as someone “broken”—but as someone becoming whole.
It Strengthens Long-Term Recovery
A 2022 study published in Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine found that a higher sense of purpose in life was greatly associated with lower rates of relapse and greater commitment to sobriety. Programs such as SMART Recovery and 12-step fellowships often emphasize purpose through service, sponsorship, or spiritual growth for this reason.
It Improves Emotional Regulation
Purpose helps you tolerate distress more effectively. When the “why” is strong enough, people are more able to endure the “how” of cravings, triggers, or tough emotions. As Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, wrote: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’”
It Provides Many Health Benefits
Living with purpose enhances both your mental and physical well-being, including:
- Fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Reduced risk of stroke, dementia, and heart disease
- Improved immune function and lower inflammation
- Better lifestyle habits, including more exercise and healthier eating
- Sharper brain function and slower cognitive decline
How Can You Find a Sense of Purpose?
If you’re not sure what your purpose is, that’s okay. It’s not a one-time decision—in fact, the GGSC states that our sense of purpose will—and should—continue to evolve over our lifetime. What stays consistent is your practice of paying attention to what lights you up and what makes life feel meaningful.
Here are a few starting points:
- Reflect on your values. Take time to determine what truly matters to you—kindness, growth, freedom, creativity, justice? Your individual values are often the foundation of purpose.
- Try small, meaningful actions. You don’t need a big mission right away. Volunteer for an hour, write a letter to someone, cook a meal for a friend, or help a neighbor. These moments often point toward a deeper purpose.
- Revisit what made you feel alive. Think back to childhood or early adulthood. What hobbies, dreams, or passions added to your joy before life got complicated? Reconnecting with them offers surprising insight.
- Talk to people you trust. Friends, mentors, sponsors, or counselors often see strengths or potential in you that you can’t yet see in yourself.
- Look for where you’re needed. Purpose frequently grows from service. Helping others—especially in recovery circles—can be a powerful source of direction and healing.
The GGSC offers more ways to discover your purpose.
Recovery Mountain: The Right Help at the Right Time
At Recovery Mountain in Tilton, our purpose is to dedicate our resources to helping individuals overcome their addictions and achieve long-term recovery in New Hampshire. Our board-certified medical professionals provide a range of addiction recovery services, including detoxification, substance and alcohol misuse treatment, and dual diagnosis support to help you or a loved one build the skills and support necessary to sustain an intentional recovery and a better life filled with meaning. To learn more about our approach, talk to a member of our admissions team today.
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