In life, it is important to have goals. This is true for everyone, but it can be especially true for those of us in recovery. Setting goals in recovery can be a critical component of long-term success. However, it is not as easy as just saying that you have a goal. You have to responsibly set them and then actively go after achieving them. It is also important not to set too many goals, or goals too high, in early recovery.
Understanding the Value of Setting Goals in Recovery
Setting goals in recovery is important because it reminds us of why we are in recovery in the first place. We didn’t get sober just to sit around. We did enough of that in active addiction. No, we got sober so we could begin to live our best lives.
Setting goals in recovery also keeps us accountable to our treatment plan. If we have set goals, then we must meet them to move forward, and forward momentum can be the key to a long and healthy sobriety.
So, how do we set goals in recovery? One of the best ways to set goals is to work with a recovery professional. This may be a therapist, addiction specialist, counselor, or sober companion. They are going to be able to guide us as we set responsible goals that are both attainable and responsible.
Working with a sponsor is also a great way to set healthy goals in recovery. A sponsor is someone with more recovery time who is willing to show you what it takes to achieve sobriety. They often do this by taking you through the Twelve Steps of 12-Step recovery, which are steps that act as “a design for living” in recovery.
Setting Short-Term Goals in Recovery
In early recovery, it can be particularly helpful to set short-term goals. These may be as simple as I am going to make my bed every day of the week. They may also be straightforward, like, “I am going to go to a recovery meeting every night this week.”
Short-term goal-setting is healthy because it keeps you accountable without overwhelming you. Other short-term goals may go along with following the Twelve Steps. For example, a goal may be that you are going to be grateful to a Higher Power of your own understanding at least once a day. This is a great goal because it keeps you accountable, but also has relatively low stakes. The Twelve Steps can also guide you as you set long-term goals in recovery.
Setting Long-Term Goals in Recovery
As your sobriety grows, the depth of your goals most likely does as well. These may be financial goals like getting out of debt in five years or rebuilding your credit. The key to setting long-term goals is to understand that they will not happen overnight.
Often, when we get sober, we feel like we need to fix everything all at once. This can be overwhelming, and long-term goal-setting comes in. When you realize that a goal is down the road, it is okay if you veer to the side now and then. This is true as long as the ultimate goal of staying sober goes unscathed. This is how you avoid a relapse.
Setting Goals in Recovery to Avoid a Relapse
Relapses are more common than many people may think. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Addiction Relapse Prevention, by Doctors Guenzel and McChargue, “One primary concern in addiction treatment is the high rate of relapses within a short period after even the most intensive treatment. Many studies have shown relapse rates of approximately 50% within the first 12 weeks after completion of intensive inpatient programs that often last 4 to 12 weeks or more and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.” Setting goals can stop you from becoming one of these statistics.
Helping other people set goals can also help you avoid a relapse. This is because when we help other people, we stop being so concerned about ourselves and our own problems for a while. Self-centeredness is a major part of active addiction, which is why eliminating it in recovery is so crucial. Helping others set goals is also a great reminder of the goals we set for ourselves, and it also allows other people an opportunity to give us advice on how we can attain them. It is a “We” program, never a “Me” program.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.
The time for recovery is now. Make it your primary goal. You can do this! We can help.
Goal-setting is a crucial component of recovery, helping to motivate, structure, and sustain long-term sobriety. There are many effective ways to set and maintain goals. This includes connecting with various types of therapies, working with others in recovery, and connecting with a Higher Power of your own understanding. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
