A new year is a perfect time to set new goals for your life going forward. Creating strong, actionable goals allows you to focus on one element of your life at a time and create lasting recovery. Start by looking at where you are and where you'd like your life to go in the next year. While big goals are wonderful, success is more achievable if you break them into smaller, more manageable steps you can easily accomplish.
Keep in mind that every client has different needs. Choose goals that make sense to you as an individual and will guide you toward long-term health and well-being:
Addiction can and does affect anyone from any walk of life. Unfortunately, it also takes a toll on those who love you. You may walk out of recovery with a few damaged relationships, but they aren't beyond repair. Start small by showing your family that you're serious about your sobriety.
Harvard Health reports that a couple of studies have shown real promise in using exercise to help people recover from addictions. One study looked at opioid-dependent rats and found some positive reduction in drug usage. Another human study found about half of the participants decreased or stopped their substance abuse after following an exercise regimen.
We know helping others makes society better, but it also makes you feel better about yourself. This year, don't just make a vague promise to volunteer more. Instead, seek out a cause you truly care about and set aside a certain amount of time each week or month to devote to an organization in your area.
Attending addiction recovery meetings is an important part of staying clean. Make meetings a regular part of your week. There are different types of groups that can help depending on the obstacles you face. Make sure there is at least one mentor you are accountable to.
Recovery is about progress and not being perfect. Be kind to yourself. You are far from the only person who has ever dealt with this issue. Don't blame yourself for past mistakes, but do strive to do better. Congratulate yourself on your successes in the here and now. It's easy to let negative self-talk creep into your thinking, so focus on the positive instead.
In the past, you may have spent time in places or with people no longer healthy for your new life. Find new ways to entertain yourself and release tension. Join a club or pick up a hobby such as painting or furniture making. Have a plan in place for what you'll do instead of falling into old patterns.
You can find and keep recovery for the long-term. Make sobriety your top priority and plan ahead by making a resolution with specific steps and solutions.
At Diamond House Detox, we offer incidental medical services and dual diagnosis treatment. Addiction isn't caused by one factor, but by many elements that are woven into the fabric of a person's life. Medical treatment alongside counseling is often the most effective approach.
We offer extensive therapy, including art therapy, group therapy and trauma therapy, along with additional personalized treatment options. At the same time, clients benefit from medically supervised detox and medication programs tailored to each person. Our goal is to help you understand your mental and physical issues and how they play into an addiction.
To learn more about our programs or request additional information, contact us today.
This content was medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet PMHNP-BC, on January 1st, 2020.
