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With a New Year comes new possibilities, new hopes, and new goals. Setting resolutions has become standard practice for almost everyone, as the start of another year is a chance to make big changes. Many people will promise to eat healthier, exercise more, or spend more time with their loved ones. People in recovery are no exception, though their resolutions may be very different. Setting sober resolutions for the New Year is an important part of the recovery journey, but knowing where to begin can be difficult. It’s vital to learn how to set good resolutions and, more importantly, how to keep them.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, our treatment team at Samba Recovery is ready to help. We offer a variety of treatments and therapies, such as our cognitive-behavioral therapy program in Atlanta, that help address the root causes of addiction. We are dedicated to helping each patient take measurable, meaningful steps toward a sober life. To do this we view each patient as a unique, remarkable individual and not just a collection of symptoms. To learn more about our programs and offerings, contact us at 888.505.8279. There’s no reason to let another day go by without the support you need.

Examples of Good Sober Resolutions for the New Year

While many people will shoot for the moon when setting New Year’s resolutions, this can often make the goals unattainable. Self-improvement can be challenging at any time in the year, and the added pressure of the New Year’s resolution can make it even more difficult. Making positive changes in life requires realistic goals and ways to measure them.

Some good sober resolutions can include:

• Start a recovery journal – Being able to track your recovery journey on a daily basis is an excellent way to see your own progress. This is a remarkably effective way to put to words your emotions and thoughts, as well as make a note of effective coping strategies and the triggers for your cravings. While it’s called a journal, there is no set format, and there’s endless room for creativity. Entries can be pictures, paintings, or even poetry.
• Find new interests – People who struggle with substance use disorders often find themselves losing interest in hobbies they were once passionate about. This lack of mental and physical enrichment can take a dramatic toll on a person’s mental state, so finding new hobbies and interests in recovery can be very beneficial. Learning a new language, taking up a new sport, or even just sitting quietly and meditating are all inexpensive, easy ways to find new interests.
• Help guide someone else – Those in recovery often find themselves doing better at staying sober when they are guiding someone else. This idea of mentorship and sharing is powerful and has been used extensively in many different treatment modalities. Simply going to a group therapy session or sharing your experience online can be a good way to start this resolution.

How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

The acronym SMART can be helpful when thinking of New Year’s Resolutions. Resolutions should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This is by far the easiest way to make the resolutions stick.

• Specific – Goals must be specific enough and clear enough to be easily understood.
• Measurable – Goals should be able to be measured so that success or failure can be determined.
• Achievable – Goals should be challenging but also realistic and achievable.
• Relevant – Goals should be relevant to the overall goal of long-term, sustainable sobriety.
• Time-bound – Goals should have a timeline associated with them to keep you motivated and on task.

Simply staying sober is too vague of a resolution. Breaking down that larger goal into smaller resolutions using the SMART system sets a clearer path toward long-term, sustainable sobriety.

Start the New Year Sober with Samba Recovery

If you or someone you care about needs help to stay sober this New Year’s, contact us at Samba Recovery. Our team members are passionate about giving everyone the tools they need to manage their substance use. Whether it’s through detox and treatment or simply through education, we are ready to support you in your recovery journey. Call us at 888.505.8279 or reach out online to get started on making positive changes in your life.