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At the top of the year, it seems everyone is creating lists that they want to accomplish now, two years, even five years away. They are pounding out goals and working on their fitness regimen so they can get into tip-top shape after the holidays. For people in recovery, it is usually on their list to continue working on sobriety, but for people who are stuck in addiction, they may think of it differently. The new year is an ideal time to put the recovery on top of the list and make it a priority if it has not happened yet. Find some tips for how to make this dream goal a reality.
New Year’s Blahs
When people are stuck in addiction, there are lots of emotions involved. Not only do they wake up after new years possibly hungover or getting over a high from drugs, but they may also be filled with regret they rang in the new year that way (again). Shame can set in, along with a negative mindset that keeps them locked in step with just where addiction wants them to be. The hope of getting healthier feels further away from their grasp than ever. The New Year’s blahs can set in and the person may feel like if they didn’t make it past midnight to January first, then all hope is lost to start over. The truth is, it is never too late to start over. No matter what resolutions get lost in the new year, it is always a good idea to decide that resolutions can be achieved but the top priority should be recovery above all else.
Looking Ahead to Possibilities
The start of the new year for people in recovery is often challenging because they are not able to look ahead if they are struggling with addiction. They are trapped in a mindset that does not yet let them see the open doors and possibilities they can experience in the days and weeks to come. With a new year, comes a new opportunity to embrace change, and use this time to set positive intentions for what’s ahead. By developing resolutions, people can experience hope for their journey that they might otherwise not get if they are trapped in addiction without hope.
Broken Promises
One of the hardest parts of making resolutions is breaking them. For people with addiction, this can be a matter of life and death. Even after they intend to quit using drugs or drinking, their good intentions mean nothing if they don’t make good on the promises. The person with an addiction has to want to quit, even if loved ones have been trying to get them to quit for a while. To set and reach attainable goals, it helps to try the following:
- Commit to a plan of action
- Be specific
- Set clear goals with actionable steps
- Ask the community to step in for support (including family)
- Seek out a higher power
- Redirect the approach if it is not working
A redirected approach is knowing when something is not working and reaching out to ask what’s next. Maybe it is returning to a past step of the twelve-step journey or finding a different view. Whatever it may be, the journey is unique to that person but don’t worry if resolutions don’t happen right away or even at all. Work a few resolutions in and try the rest next year that don’t require sobriety.
Holistic Healing
A holistic healing approach in the new year is more than developing a list of resolutions. It is about striving towards healing with intention. Intentions are different than resolutions because they are set with a focused eye on what really matters. Mindfulness, healthy eating, good sleep are all part of the holistic journey of healing that needs to take place in recovery. Detox, rehab, and the first 60 to 90 days are just the start of the pathway forward. To really dive into the new year with intention, you need to focus on a holistic mind, body, and spirit approach to the journey. Start with intention and move forward with a mindset focused on healing, not just creating lists that may or may not work for your journey.
It is healthy to want to improve lives on any day of the week. Don’t be hard on yourself if you seek help days or weeks after the first of the year. The key is to make sure you are reaching out for help. Setting a goal or making decisions without action always ends with the same place where you started. Real change comes from awareness something has to change and taking steps to get there. A good way to move forward is to think about who will be the most helpful going into the new year. Sometimes friends and family mean well but maybe it is time to take a break from those who are not helping you see the full picture in recovery. Seek out the community, therapists, and resources to help you navigate towards healing and help implement the change you need for lasting change.
Forge is a place to come and recover your life from addiction. We help you reimagine what is possible and create the life you’ve been dreaming of.
Call us today: 1-888-224-7312
