The countdown is on. As the current year winds down, a brand new year is on the horizon. And a new year brings new opportunities to change, try new things, and experience a fresh start. As you may know, many people are making new year’s resolutions at this time. But if it’s a new year in addiction recovery, how should you approach this annual tradition yourself? And what are some good new year’s resolution ideas for prioritizing a sober new year?
Sober New Year: The Honest Reality of New Year’s Resolutions
As you’re probably aware, many new year’s resolutions don’t last. According to Drive Research, 92% of adults won’t follow through on their resolutions. In fact, 23% of those will quit their resolutions by the first week of January. The bottom line is that sticking with any new year’s resolution is challenging. And if you’re in recovery from addiction, keeping any resolutions can add an extra layer of difficulty.
But a sober new year is a worthy endeavor, despite society’s struggles with new year’s resolutions. If you’re wanting to start the new year in addiction recovery, no doubt you’re probably thinking about new year’s resolutions you want to make in order to get there. Your desire to commit to sobriety can be accomplished. But it requires healthy recovery goals and a productive plan to achieve them.
A New Year in Addiction Recovery: Making Resolutions
Should you make new year’s resolutions at all if you’re in recovery from addiction? While you certainly can make some new year’s resolutions as January approaches, there are a few important considerations you should know beforehand.
For starters, you should remember that recovery is a lifelong process. While setting measurable goals for a sober new year may be part of your recovery journey, achieving them isn’t necessarily a one-time deal. Just because you achieve something next year in recovery doesn’t mean you’ve mastered it for the rest of your life.
Pursuing sobriety is about making progress each day, even if you experience a lapse vs. relapse, for example. Your recovery resolutions won’t necessarily be items you can check off on a list and never think about again. Also, the resolutions you set now may need to be modified later as your recovery journey unfolds.
Many people don’t keep their resolutions because they were too lofty in the first place. If you’re going to have new year’s resolutions in recovery, it’s important for them to be realistic. Instead of creating huge goals to accomplish this sober new year, you’re better off starting small with your resolutions. You may be easing back into things after navigating the holidays in recovery (or even experiencing holiday traumatic memories), after all.
Making lofty resolutions and not meeting them can generate extra stress, shame, and discouragement, which can become addiction triggers if you’re not careful. It’s a good idea to review your new year recovery ideas with your therapist, support group, or accountability partner before making them official.
New Year’s Resolution Ideas if You’re in Addiction Recovery
While keeping new year’s resolutions can be hard, they can also be great motivators as you begin the year. Remember, some people do actually accomplish their resolutions. With sobriety as your goal, you certainly can, too. With that said, here are a few good new year’s resolution ideas to consider adopting for achieving a sober new year:
- Pursue self-care: You may already be doing this, but if not, self-care is incredibly important. This includes eating healthy, getting good sleep, and exercising. That may mean you’re going to the gym next year like so many others!
- Find a new hobby: A new year in addiction recovery may mean extra free time, so it’s important to fill it with something meaningful and enjoyable (which is good for your self-care, too). Make it a point to pick up a new hobby this upcoming year, which can actually be a fun resolution to uphold.
- Volunteer in the community: Helping out and serving others can be an encouragement to your soul as you navigate your recovery and adjust to the real world. Having something to give others also increases your own self-confidence in your abilities, aiding your recovery efforts.
- Expand your support network: If you haven’t joined a support group, make it a priority to go to one next year (or attend meetings consistently). Look for other ways you can build your community throughout the sober new year. You may consider exploring your treatment center’s alumni programming for ideas.
- Practice gratitude: Because recovery is a journey, it’s important to celebrate small victories along the way. Consider creating a gratitude journal to reflect on your progress and remind yourself of the good things you have in your sober life.
- Join an addiction treatment program: If you’re struggling with your sobriety, you can’t overcome it alone. Enrolling in an addiction treatment program can help you heal the root causes of your struggles and achieve long-term recovery.
Seeking Addiction Treatment for a Sober New Year
If you’re still struggling with addiction, the best new year’s resolution you can make is to get professional help. At Sana at Stowe, our New England-based addiction treatment facility can equip you to finally overcome your struggles and reclaim your life. With help from our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs, this can be the year you achieve real sobriety. To get started with your sober new year, contact our team today.
