The start of a New Year is a great opportunity to re-evaluate your life and take a look at things you would like to work on moving forward. For individuals in recovery, this is an excellent time of year to check in with yourself and consider where you’re at in your recovery journey. Maybe you’re doing all the right things, but you don’t have the same commitment to your recovery that you once did. Perhaps you’re very devoted to your recovery but want to look into other ways that you can continue to educate yourself in order to better yourself and protect your sobriety. 

This year, consider making some recovery goals for yourself. The intention of these goals is to make sure that recommitting to recovery is a top priority for yourself and that there are steps in place to work towards that. 

Understanding Why Some People Lose Commitment to Their Recovery 

You can be sober for months or even years and still find you’re losing the same motivation that you once had. This can happen as a result of many different factors that may be occurring either consciously or subconsciously. When you don’t take the necessary steps to get that motivation back and remind yourself why you chose to get sober in the first place, you run the risk of a potential relapse in the future. 

One of the reasons why some people lose commitment to their recovery is because their specific treatment plan is no longer meeting their needs. This isn’t a bad thing. It just means that they need to speak with their treatment provider, who can adjust their plan as needed. Sometimes, incorporating something new is all it takes to reinvigorate someone and get them back on track. 

Another reason why someone may lose commitment to their recovery is due to challenges they may be facing in their personal life. For example, they may be dealing with high levels of stress at work. They could be coping with the loss of a loved one, relationship problems, illness, or any number of issues. As a result, they may be subconsciously considering turning back to substance misuse. 

Recommitting to Recovery 

When planning to recommit to your recovery, the first thing you’ll want to do is to reach out to your treatment provider. As honestly as you can, express to them where you’re at in terms of your recovery and what changes you would like to make. They can recommend new resources, treatment methods, and techniques to assist you. 

It can also help to speak with a therapist to productively work through different emotions that you may be experiencing. Your therapist can help you to learn better coping mechanisms for stress, relaxation techniques, and other methods that can benefit you on your journey. 

Recovery Goals for the New Year 

No matter where you’re at in your recovery journey, it never hurts to incorporate new things into your treatment plan. Additionally, no matter how much you think you know about topics related to recovery and mental health, there is always more to learn. These subjects could be related to mental health, stress management, and learning more about addiction recovery. 

As we start off a brand new year, consider setting some recovery goals for yourself. When setting your goals, remember to follow the SMART principles in order to set yourself up for success. Your goals should be specific, measurable, action-related, realistic, and timely. 

Some examples of goals you may want to consider include: 

Focusing On Gratitude 

Work on fostering your sense of gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal. Either when you first wake up or when you go to bed at night, set aside a few moments to write down three things that you’re grateful for. This could be anything from something good that just happened in your life to something as simple but as important as shelter, good health, and family and friends. 

Incorporating Healthy Activities 

Consider trying out a new sober hobby. This is a great opportunity to try something new while also getting the chance to meet some new friends. 

You could also try practicing yoga, breathing exercises, or some form of meditation at least once a day. This can reduce your stress levels and help you to ground yourself and become more in tune with your body. 

Moreover, it’s never a bad time to start incorporating more exercise into your life. Exercise is great for your mental health and can help you to prevent cravings. 

Acknowledging Your Progress 

Make a conscious effort to start celebrating your successes. This could be a personal milestone, a promotion at work, or even a sober anniversary. You worked hard for these things, and they are worth celebrating! Treat yourself; you deserve it. 

It’s a new year and a new chance to recommit to your recovery journey. No matter where you’re at with your recovery, there is always more to learn and new ways to better yourself. Without letting go of your traditional treatment methods, you can adopt new techniques as you enter the New Year. You may also consider setting some recovery goals for yourself. These could be focused on stress management, mental health, and overall wellness. Some examples could include working on fostering a sense of gratitude, trying out a new sober hobby, or maybe giving yoga or meditation a shot. If you are struggling with substance misuse, our team at The Kimberly Center can help. Call (855) 452-3683 today.