Laughter, playful competitive energy, teamwork, friendship, pizza, and community filled the afternoon spent at Cheviot Hills Park during a sober flag football game between Muse and Axis Treatment Center/PVRC. Residents and staff members from both treatment centers got together, laced up their sneakers, filled up their water bottles, and tied blue and yellow flags around their waists in preparation for the game. Some sat along the sidelines in the green grass to cheer on their teammates and community members, while others actively participated in the game. Everyone was involved in some way or another as we all got together to engage in a healthy, fun activity outdoors on a beautiful day.
All attendees were introduced to a number of new friends and people involved in the recovery world, and we were presented with the opportunity to make new connections and form friendships with a variety of people coming from all different backgrounds. While each of us have had to face our own unique struggles and challenges, we are all united in our efforts to get sober. When we weren’t cheering on their teammates, our conversations were full of support, encouragement, and personal stories that fostered feelings of camaraderie and community among us.
After the games, we all sat down and enjoyed a delicious pizza lunch in the park. Participants were not only introduced to other members of the sober community, but were also exposed to a healthy, positive experience that exemplified some of the ways it is possible to enjoy living a life of sobriety. It is incredibly important to remind those in recovery that having sober fun is possible, and to introduce them to activities that make for fulfilling and meaningful ways to spend their time.
The sober football was a major success, and helped remind residents and staff that living a life of recovery and sobriety can be incredibly rewarding if you surround yourself with positive, supportive people and fill your time with meaningful activities. The afternoon turned into a celebration of the major steps we had all taken to embark on our individual and collective journeys into recovery and our high hopes for the future.
