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31 Dec 2022

3 Goals for Recovering Addicts Instead of New Year’s Resolutions

Goals for Recovering Addicts

New Year’s resolutions are stressful for most people and are notorious for failing by January 2nd. It is estimated that 40 percent of Americans make resolutions around the new year, but only 8 percent actually manage to keep them throughout the year - and we believe that is an overestimation.

Resolutions that people set tend to be unrealistic, which contributes to them being dropped the New Year’s Eve confetti is swept off the street. Some of the most common resolutions that people set are that they will lose weight or quit smoking cigarettes, which may seem trivial, but these issues are big enough to cause people a lot of anxiety, just as is failing to keep the resolutions.

Setting New Year’s resolutions is not typically advised for those in drug and alcohol recovery because while setting dramatic goals is not a good idea for anyone, it can create a setback for those in recovery if the resolution is broken. It is a bad idea to set the bar of expectations too high and put unrealistic goals ahead of yourself.

Instead of creating New Year’s resolutions, a rigid list of dos and don’ts, set attainable goals that you can spend 2019 working toward. If you are working toward these goals already, keep going - if you are not, it is time to start.

Seek professional help

If you have not done so already, immediately seek out professional help with your drug and/or alcohol addiction problem. Addiction recovery can be difficult regardless of who you are, but it is much better in a supportive community with highly trained professionals guiding you through the process. Let 2019 be the year you finally reach out for help.

Participate in group

Whether it is a group therapy session in a rehabilitation program or a 12-Step group session, there is a welcoming, understanding environment waiting for you. It is full of people that are going through you unique struggle and are willing to share their stories with you if you are willing to participate in return. Make it a 2019 goal to regularly attend meetings and actively participate at least once in every session, even if it is talking for just a minute.

Reach out to friends and family

Having poor family relations is a trademark of someone living with addiction. Addiction can tear families apart and ruin relationships, but recovery can often be an effective tool to bring people back together. This year, work toward rebuilding broken bridges between you and your loved ones, and express your commitment to sobriety. Having a loving, supportive base can greatly improve addiction recovery rates.

Happy Sober New Year!


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