The Hawthorne Effect – Sex and Relationship Healing

Accountability breeds success.

Have you ever been jogging or riding your bike and you thought you were doing great and then someone passed you? If so, what did you do in response? You sped up, of course. Because that’s the natural human response. When we have others around us, we put in more effort and get better results. Scientists refer to this as the Hawthorne Effect. Whatever it is that we’re trying to achieve, we’re more likely to get there when we have others around us. Nowhere is this more true than addiction recovery. Countless studies show that when we try to establish and maintain sobriety on our own, we tend to struggle. But when we try to do the same in the company of others, we’re likely to succeed. As recovering addicts, we do better when we’re not alone—if for no other reason than the Hawthorne Effect kicks in and we work harder.

Task for Today
Share your goals for recovery with trusted friends and family, knowing that when the people around you know what your goals are, you’re more likely to achieve them.