What’s Your New Year’s Resolution While in Recovery?

We know how New Year’s resolutions can be challenging to achieve especially when you’re in addiction recovery. But remember, anything is possible when you put your heart and mind into it.

To make your goals happen, we’ve listed down some steps you can take.

Reflecting On The Past Year

Before identifying your goals for the new year, it’s always a good idea to look back at the year you just had. 

Sit down, grab a mug of warm tea or coffee, and think about these reflective questions:

• What challenges did you have during the past year?
• What steps have you taken to overcome these challenges?
• How much progress have you made with your recovery?
• How do you feel about your recovery journey in the past year?

Whether you’re still trying to reach out for help, in the middle of active recovery, or trying to maintain sobriety, evaluating your progress will be helpful. 

Looking back will also allow you to remember and celebrate the progress you’ve made so far, and encourage you to continue with your journey. If not, then may the answers to these questions encourage you to do better with a positive mindset in mind.

Defining Your Resolutions

Now that you have a rough idea of how you did the past year, you have a better perspective on how to ensure your chances of sobriety. 

It's easy to get lost in the promise of recovery resolutions and goals, but remember that these can be attainable if well-planned.

Your sobriety goals are best when partnered with smart, bite-sized, and manageable steps. A good criterion for your goals is SMART – specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. 

SMART Goals Demonstrated

If you want to get fit, you could set a specific amount of time to jog on certain days of the week every week during the year. Maybe do an hour three times a week. 

Next, set a measurable amount of weight you would like to lose. This is best by the numbers, so maybe ten pounds.

Then, make sure this measurable and specific goal is attainable. For instance, losing ten pounds every two days is not attainable or healthy.

Also, ensure that this goal is relevant to your life. If you’re already underweight, you should not be working toward losing weight. Allow your family and counselors to help you align your resolution to your long-term recovery goals.

Finally, this goal should be timely. You are better off starting once a week and building up thrice as week as you go on.

This will help you stick to your goals better, and allow you to figure out a plan when hurdles strike.

Resolutions To Consider

You may have a lot of sobriety goals and resolutions while in substance abuse treatment, and that’s great! It’s best to have a good mix of goals that improve your physical, mental, and emotional states. 

After all, your recovery plan at its best ensures sustainability in all these aspects, and there’s no good in hanging behind one of them. 

Have a difficult time choosing? Here are some suggestions:

• Start a journal. Just fifteen to thirty minutes every day would make a great difference in understanding your needs, triggers, and emotions. 

• Exercise. Half an hour of brisk walking every day will make a huge difference, and a little jog is also great for boosting your mood. 

• Meet with loved ones. It may be difficult for you to face your family and friends while in substance abuse treatment, but remember that they’re rooting for you as you recover. You could start by calling them once a week and building up from there. 

• Learn a sober hobby. The world is your oyster, and there will never be enough things to try. See if you can go out for art, music, cooking, or gardening classes at least once a week.

Making Your Resolutions Stick

It can be hard to stay motivated as you work toward your addiction sobriety and recovery goals. 

It may sound cliche, but one of your best courses of action is to stay positive. You've been taught that all steps in recovery are still progress; try to maintain that same mindset with your resolutions.

Change won’t happen overnight. You’re sure to progress by the end of the year if you continue to make small efforts consistently. 

Accomplish these steps with the helping hands of your support systems. Allow them to hold your hand, help you enjoy the journey, and keep you accountable.

Coping With Setbacks

The biggest hurdle that you may face while trying to meet your resolution is setbacks. Sometimes, it's difficult to stick to a goal and the path you drew for yourself. 

During these times, take it easy and give yourself a break. Breathe in, and think about the small, bite-sized steps you planned ahead of time. If you can’t do half an hour, try just fifteen minutes. If that’s still too much, even five will do. 

Anything is better than nothing, and you should not punish yourself for struggling on some days.

Building a healthy routine as your New Year’s resolution will do you wonders, even if they’re simple. Take a walk in the morning, eat your meals, or write yourself a little note. So long as you’re able to do these consistently, you’re sure to improve during substance abuse treatment. 

Start or continue your recovery goals in the new year with the intensive outpatient program in Oregon at Another Chance today! It’s time to meet a healthier you.