Addiction recovery is a journey that is filled with ups and downs, as well as major milestones and accomplishments along the way. Realistic goal setting is a huge component of the success of your recovery, and it’s important to understand that becoming and staying sober doesn’t just happen overnight. Your recovery journey is a work in progress, and Banyan Philadelphia shares with you how to set realistic recovery goals to increase your chances of long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
Recovery goals are objectives that a person sets for themselves that are related to their addiction recovery. Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all thing, and everyone’s goals may look different. These goals are milestones that you eventually want to reach.
Additionally, people who have goals feel more purposeful and accomplished. They can give you a sense of direction, which can be a challenge for newly sober people. However, not just any goals will get the job done. Poor goal setting can hinder the recovery process rather than help it. So, when creating your goals, we recommend using this SMART technique:
You can also work with your therapist or counselor during drug or alcohol addiction treatment to decide which goals you will set at the beginning of the process. Writing down these goals is important because you will become more motivated and more likely to complete set-in-stone goals over verbal thoughts.
Goals give people purpose and meaning behind accomplishing something, and this is so crucial during addiction treatment. According to Psychology Today, John Norcross states that a goal is “a mental representation of the desired outcome that a person is committed to.” Achieving your short-term and realistic goals accounts for those milestones and only brings you closer to the end goal.
But where do you start? While you may know how to make new goals now, here are a few examples of goals for addiction recovery that can help you get started.
Another big tip we can give you is to share all of your recovery goals with someone you’re close to and trust. An addiction recovery goal can easily be overlooked or swept under the rug without some sort of accountability. Addiction is an isolating disease that encourages selfish, self-serving, and secretive behavior. Therefore, the best way to combat this type of behavior in recovery is to stay connected with someone who can (gently) call you out when you’re slipping.
If you’re a loved one of someone who’s recovering from a drug or alcohol use disorder, we also encourage you to read up on the common warning signs of relapse, such as isolating from loved ones, low energy, spending time with old drug or drinking buddies again, changes in sleep patterns, changes in physical appearance, and poor hygiene.
Relapse is not a failure, but it's best to avoid it, as bouncing back can be difficult. Even so, if you or someone you know happens to relapse, our Philadelphia drug treatment center offers stabilization care designed to help individuals who have relapsed get back on their feet.
Successful recovery is possible, and our Philadelphia substance abuse programs offer the services you need to make sure you achieve your goals! Call Banyan Treatment Centers today at 888-280-4763 to get started.
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