The beginning of a new year is a symbolic time when people make grand promises to change, start anew, or achieve major goals. Whether you are looking for an alcohol treatment program in Spokane, WA, or elsewhere in Washington state, New Year’s is an excellent time to reflect on your life and make plans for a sober new year. However, when it comes to addiction recovery, setting realistic new year’s goals can save you disappointments and setbacks.
What Are Realistic New Year’s Goals?
Realistic recovery goals are goals you can pull off. Setting sobriety goals can be tricky, as it requires a commitment to changing addictive behaviors and the willpower to stand by your promises to yourself.
Behavioral changes that support lasting recovery can take time to put into place because addiction is a chronic disorder that changes the chemistry of the brain. For this reason, substance abuse treatment can last for months or years. So instead of making “quick fix” promises to yourself, why not commit to resolutions you can actually keep after the hype of the new year wears off?
As you look for a clean slate, fresh start, or an opportunity to reinvent yourself, answering the following questions honestly can put your recovery in perspective and make it easier to accomplish your goals:
- What stage are you at in your recovery?
- Are your goals consistent with the tenets of sober living?
- Do you have the resources you need to achieve your goals? If not, what is standing in your way?
- How long will it take to accomplish the goals?
- How does your environment impact your sobriety goals? Do you have a strong support network?
- What changes are you willing to make to achieve your plans?
Three Ways to Make Achieving Your Recovery Goals Easier
Sober living resolutions will differ among individuals depending on the severity of their addiction, the presence of a co-occurring disorder like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, and their stage of recovery. Notwithstanding these factors, here are three practices that can help you achieve genuine lasting recovery:
1. Change one behavior at a time.
Start small. Select and focus on changing one behavior at a time. Challenging yourself to change a long list of behaviors can be overwhelming. Unhealthy behaviors develop over a period of time. Likewise, it takes time to replace them with healthy ones.
2. Talk about it.
Recovering at an addiction treatment center allows you to share experiences and get motivation from your therapist and peers to help you reach your goals. Sharing your struggles and successes with them can help make your sobriety goals seem less challenging.
3. Show self-compassion.
Don’t beat up on yourself or scrap your plans if you find yourself losing enthusiasm to honor your commitment to change. Acknowledging that you’re losing focus and reminding yourself of the end goal can serve as a fresh inspiration to get back on track. Take pride in however far you have come, and remember to be grateful even for small achievements.
Achieving Your Sober New Year Plans at Spokane Falls Recovery Center
At Spokane Falls Recovery Center, we know that getting over addiction can be tough. Setting realistic New Year’s goals makes it easier for you to keep them throughout the year. The evidence-based treatment for substance abuse we provide also helps increase your chances of sober living a success.
Our certified doctors and clinicians will continue to work with you in a safe, structured, and compassionate environment. You’ll receive the same standard of care whether you’re enrolled in the intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, or outpatient treatment program. We are committed to helping you achieve your physical, mental, and spiritual health objectives, no matter where you are in your recovery journey.
You’ll also have an opportunity to discuss your recovery plans with your therapist during individual behavioral therapy sessions and group counseling. Your therapist will likely offer to advise you on how to make realistic New Year’s goals and when to adjust them.
Spokane Falls Recovery Center Wishes You a Happy Sober New Year!
You have committed to freeing yourself from drug or alcohol addiction. Now, you’re raising the bar by setting new sobriety goals. Our entire staff is committed to creating the right environment and providing the resources to support you in achieving your plans. Reach out to Spokane Falls Recovery center online today or call us at 844.962.2775 to discover what we can do to help you on your journey.
