If you are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction or are in the early stages of recovery, you’re likely familiar with the importance of setting goals for yourself in regard to sobriety. Goal setting is helpful in that it encourages you to stay disciplined and focused on working towards an achievable outcome. Goals can also help you to keep yourself accountable and avoid triggers that may tempt you to relapse.
There is perhaps no better time to start setting new sober goals than in the start of the new year. 2020 has been challenging for millions of people around the world thanks to the effects of the global pandemic, and many of us are ready to start 2021 with a blank slate. Our team has tips for you to consider when creating your New Year’s resolutions to ensure that you’ve set yourself up for success in the new year.
Remember to be SMART
Many workplaces and leadership courses instruct individuals to set SMART goals in an effort to make them achievable. This can also be used by people recovering from alcohol or drug addictions to ensure you don’t set goals that you can’t achieve, which will only discourage you and lead to self-pity. The SMART acronym is broken up into the following: Specific, Measurable, Action-related, Realistic, and Timely.
- Specific: Your goal must be specific and something you can clearly focus on.
- Measurable: Goals should be able to be measured so you can track your progress or know when you’re on track to achieve them.
- Action-related: Your goal must involve some sort of action or change in behavior in order to be effective.
- Realistic: This is the step that most people struggle with, as it’s common to set unrealistic goals and is why so many people don’t achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Find a goal that will challenge you but also be achievable.
- Timely: Consider where you’re at in life and set a goal that is significant to this stage.
SMART is a great way to break down your overall goal – sobriety – into small, achievable goals. It can be vague and confusing to simply make your resolution “sobriety,” but setting specific milestones can provide the path you can take to progress in your recovery.
Examples of Sober New Year’s Resolutions
Just as no two addictions are alike, there also no one right way to recover. As a result, the goals you set for yourself may look completely different than the ones other people in recovery have set. We’ve offered some examples of sober New Year’s resolutions to get you started, but it’s important to think about resolutions that apply to your unique situation and needs.
Some examples of resolutions include:
- Exercise for 30 minutes every day
- Spending quality time with loved ones once a week
- Writing in your journal for 15 minutes each day
- Beginning every day with morning meditation
- Trying a new sober hobby in the new year
- Finding new ways to celebrate your milestones and not be too hard on yourself when you mess up
Just because New Year’s resolutions have been known to fail doesn’t mean yours have to – with careful planning and a realistic approach, you can set goals that only aid you in your addiction recovery and motivate you to improve your habits and your life.
Addiction Treatment Begins with a Call
Asking for help can be extremely difficult, but with just one call, you’ll find that the recovery process is much easier with a team of caring professionals by your side. Mount Sinai Wellness Center has a variety of treatment programs designed to give you the holistic rehab care you deserve for your addiction and any mental disorders you may have. We know that oftentimes addiction is much more than a physical issue, which is why we treat the mind, body, and spirit to help you heal.
Mount Sinai Wellness Center can offer you stability and support when you begin your recovery with us. Contact us online or by phone at (800) 353-4673 at any time to learn about our treatment programs.
