We all struggle with something. Like having an Achilles’ heel, we have weaknesses and wounds. Perhaps in the past, you let those weaknesses get the better of you. Maybe you had a temper, didn’t care about others, or got caught up in an addiction. Maybe you were emotionally insensitive and blamed your problems on others, and as a result, your relationships suffered.

“I have been bent and broken but – I hope – into a better shape,” wrote the English writer Charles Dickens.

And that’s the wonderful opportunity that comes with recovery – it gives a person a chance to take a look at their past and explore how they are a better person because of it. It’s a chance to learn, grow, and heal. Recovery helps you transform your life into something you can feel proud of, into a life where you can help others who were perhaps once in your shoes.

One research study, which took place at a substance abuse treatment center in Palm Beach County, Florida, explored the certain spiritual factors in one’s life which can be associated with alcohol abuse and drug addiction. Researchers worked with Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches (BHOPB) in order to develop a model that uses creativity, service, and  solitude in order to foster purpose and meaning in the lives of the participants. The study found that when one has purpose and meaning in life, they were less likely to develop depressive symptoms. Although depressive symptoms are most associated with depression, those who experience addiction often also experience signs and symptoms of depression. In fact, the study suggested that an existential sense of purpose in life seems to be the most important factor related to whether or not someone develops depressive symptoms.

So, how can you make meaning and purpose of your past? Here are a few suggestions:

Mend your relationships with family and friends. Charles Dickens also wrote: “Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be.” Recovery can help us learn about others as well as ourselves.

Volunteer in the community and give back to others who are struggling with addiction. Because you know what it’s like and you’ve been there, helping others can be a very rewarding and meaningful experience.

Write a book about your journey into addiction and out through recovery. Often, it’s the writer that gets the most out of the writing experience. The mentality behind this is similar to addiction therapy.

Support the recovery center that helped you stay sober. If you want to help carry the torch and make it easy for others in your community to stay sober, give back to the organization that helped you.

Become an inspirational speaker. As a speaker, you can share your healing experiences with a large number of people at one time. You can use your words to inspire others to heal from addiction.

Once you enter recovery, it’s your opportunity to make your past meaningful. In fact, you can make your past your purpose for living now through the suggestions listed above. There are many ways to find meaning; these are just a handful of them. As you can see, recovery is not just a matter of getting sober; recovery is about finding a new you.