The holidays are both an exciting and stressful time. A time for reflection as a new year approaches and also a time to set goals for the future. For many people, their New Year’s goals include a focus on health. For those struggling with a substance use disorder, this focus is even more important to support your sobriety. If you are newly sober, sober goals for the new year will help keep you on track for maintaining all the hard work you have done so far. This can include participating in an alumni program through the rehab facility you received treatment at or a 12-step program in your community. For those who have not yet sought help for their addiction, enrolling in a rehab aftercare program in Austin is the best sober goal you can set for yourself in the new year.
What Are Sober Goals?
Sober goals can include healthy habits that support a sober life. This will either focus on getting sober for those still struggling or staying sober for those in recovery. Wherever you are in your sober journey, take that overall goal of lifelong sobriety and break it down into smaller goals. It may involve making changes to who you spend time with and what kinds of activities you participate in, but sometimes these changes are necessary for the bigger goal of staying sober.
Areas for goal setting can include:
- Fitness
- Relationships
- Work
- Faith
Some specific goals to consider to support your sobriety are:
- Spending time with family and friends as part of a routine
- Learning a new skill to support your career
- Designing a consistent exercise regimen
- Working meditation, yoga, or prayer into your life
New Year’s Resolutions
The support of peers is crucial to one’s recovery journey. Goal setting is the core of treatment and aftercare so that one’s recovery journey is paved with support all along the way. Support can come in the form of extended care through a sober living program, alumni programs with peers who have gone through treatment with you or at the same facility, or a 12-step program offered through a treatment center or a community near you.
Smaller goals can be more manageable and easier to take one day at a time in celebrating sobriety throughout the year rather than just as New Year’s Resolutions. The Arbor’s alumni network allows a place to strengthen relationships among peers started while in treatment or build new relationships with other alumni. Through structured activities and events, you can work on goals together as a group or get help with personal goals you may be struggling with.
Contact The Arbor Today for Sober Support
Figuring out how to live your life substance-free without falling victim to the temptations that lead to your addiction is hard. Goal setting is an important part of any treatment program, and the new year is a perfect time to implement a fresh plan for the year that can support your sobriety. Whether you have completed a treatment program already or are looking to enroll in one, setting sober goals should be a priority.
Alumni programs are a great resource to help you get through tough times of the year when you may be tempted to go back to old habits. Having a core sober support group that you can do things with, without drugs or alcohol, is also important. It can be challenging to jump back into life as a sober person following treatment. Navigating social situations, finding sober activities, and figuring out your new normal can be overwhelming without a solid plan.
In addition to the support of an alumni network, The Arbor offers:
- Residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Sober Living
- Relapse prevention
- Family programs
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Call on a team member today at 844.413.2690 to find out more about alumni programs, aftercare support, and setting sober goals.