“I’m going to stop relying on drugs or alcohol this year.”
Done. You’re a changed person.
Recovering from a drug or alcohol problem isn’t as easy as saying the statement above.
It takes time. It takes perseverance. It takes determination. And it certainly doesn’t take a simple New Year’s Resolution.
Drug and alcohol addiction recovery happens through a series of positive changes, including addiction recovery treatment. When multiple, small changes accumulate, recovery can be accomplished over time. That’s why these small, practical New Year’s Resolutions may help you take a step towards addiction recovery.
RESOLVE TO LEAN ON LOVED ONES FOR SUPPORT.
Your loved ones may not fully understand what you’re going through, so it’s easy to feel alone and abandoned. If you have friends or family who are reaching out to help you, however, don’t push them away. Make an extra effort this New Year to pick a select group of loved ones who you can lean on for support, and don’t be afraid to do just that. Confide in them. Allow them to help you. This is one small change that can have a huge impact on your recovery.
RESOLVE TO STAY POSITIVE.
Along the same lines as the first resolution above, it’s easy to become bitter, negative and frustrated with loved ones who are trying to support you. Step into the New Year with a renewed emphasis on positivity – positive thoughts, positive words and positive actions. When you feel like screaming at the top of your lungs, focus on a positive motto that can help calm you down.
RESOLVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS AND INTENTIONS.
It’s time to stop blaming others. While this resolution may be not as extreme as signing up for addiction recovery, it’s the first step you must be willing to take. You alone control your actions and intentions. You make your own decisions. Understand that every good or bad decision you make is a result of your own doing, not someone else’s.
RESOLVE TO MAKE A HEALTHY CHANGE FOR YOUR BODY.
This healthy change doesn’t have to be drastic. Maybe you start running a few miles every week. Or maybe you start eating three full meals per day. Or maybe you resolve to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Any of these items are positive changes that can put you on the right track towards breaking your addiction. No matter who you are, having a healthy routine can do wonders for your body and mind.
RESOLVE TO READ AN INSPIRATIONAL BOOK.
If you enjoy reading, this New Year’s resolution is perfect for you. Over the next year (or whatever time period you feel comfortable with) choose an inspirational book to read. Here are a few examples:
- Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget by Sarah Hepola
- The Courage to Be Yourself: A Memoir by Sue Patton Thoele
- Drinking: A Love Story by Carolina Knapp
- A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
- Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay by Mira Kirshenbaum
- Lit by Mary Karr
RESOLVE TO COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS EVERY DAY.
Each morning or each night, take a minute to write down one thing you are grateful for. It can be a person, a feeling, a material possession, an opportunity, a place – anything. Keep a journal noting these items over the year (or other timeframe) and look back on it at the end of the year to see everything you have to be thankful for. This is a small way to improve the positivity in your life and stay focused on the good rather than the bad.
With the New Year rolling in, now is the time to put yourself back on the right track, even if that means getting there through a tiny baby step. Every step counts.
