Creating New Year’s Resolutions When Battling Addiction

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New Year, new you. It sounds simple, but addiction recovery and the New Year can be a tough combination. Even if you have made up your mind to pursue recovery from addiction, the pressure of making resolutions and keeping them can be enormous. How many new goals should you set? How can you be sure you make measurable progress? How can you manage the added stress that resolutions can cause? Putting that much pressure on yourself may encourage cravings and make recovery more difficult.

Instead, take a pause. New Year’s resolutions for people with opioid addictions should not make recovery harder. Take small steps and create resolutions that help instead of hinder as you continue on the road to recovery.

What Is Your Resolution?

Before you can start chasing your resolution, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Your resolution might be big or small, and breaking it down into manageable goals makes the process easier for you. The following are areas to consider:

Setting good goalsThink about how you want to approach the New Year. How do you want to feel? Pick an achievable resolution and then break it down into smaller goals. If your resolution is to break an addiction to opioids, start small. Maybe your first goal is asking for help from your support system.Choosing appropriate resolutions: Addiction is a difficult cycle to break. Smaller New Year’s resolutions can help you recognize the cycle you are in and give you the tools you need to recover. Think about picking up healthy habits, like a new exercise routine or healthier eating. It is always acceptable to ask for help when you need it.Using the SMART goal format SMART goals, a common approach to setting goals with a handy acronym, are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Any goal or resolution you set may be easier to achieve if it is concrete rather than vague. Make your goal measurable so you can see and celebrate your progress. Try not to set impossibly high standards that you will not be able to achieve. Make the goal something that will have a positive impact on your life, and give yourself a set amount of time to achieve that goal.

Maintaining the Right Mindset During Your Resolutions

Sticking to your resolutions and meeting your goals takes time and dedication. How can you get into the right mindset while you put in that hard work? Consider the following tips:

Stay positive: New Year’s addiction recovery does not happen overnight. You might experience setbacks on your journey, but it is important to remain positive. Accept that achieving your resolution to leave addiction behind will take commitment, and fight to believe in yourself.Surround yourself with a strong support network You do not have to do this alone. Look to the people in your life who want to help you. Surrounding yourself with a strong network of people helps keep you accountable to your goals. Whether you need help chasing those goals or someone to listen to you, the right people will be there to offer their support.Set a daily routineSetting and sticking to a routine is foundational to creating new, healthy habits. Take small steps to create your routine. Add one healthy habit, even as simple as going for a walk every morning, and repeat it every day. Over time, you can add more elements to a daily routine. Keep track of the elements of your schedule and reward yourself for keeping up with it.ExerciseExercise might already be on your list of goals and resolutions. If not, consider adding it in. Regular exercise can boost your mood and your energy levels. More energy and a positive mood can be extremely helpful as you work toward your other goals.Embrace mindfulnessMindfulness can be a powerful tool. It is a relatively easy skill to learn, but it does take practice and dedication. At its core, mindfulness is about slowing down and paying attention to your thoughts and surroundings. Mindfulness teaches us to accept what we experience and move forward without judgment.

What if My Resolution Is to Get Clean?

Whether you are struggling with opioid addiction — such as an addiction to morphine, oxycodone or fentanyl — or any other kind of substance use disorder, a resolution to get clean is admirable. The following are ways you can get started and uphold your resolution:

Consider starting a programResolving to pursue opioid recovery in the New Year, or any other time, can look different for everyone. A recovery program is a great starting place. Addiction recovery programs have a multitude of resources to help you address and beat addiction.Join a support group: Support groups can help you build the network that will assist you on your journey to recovery. You can seek a group that uses the 12-step model, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, or you can search for a different kind of group that appeals to you. Everyone’s recovery journey is unique, and everyone can use support.Seek support from loved ones Beyond the support you receive from your treatment program and support group, you can turn to the people who love you. Talk to your family and friends. Share your story and your struggle with addiction and ask for their help as you move forward.Research treatment facilitiesWhether you require inpatient or outpatient treatment, you want to find the right facility for your needs. Spend some time researching treatment facilities in your area to understand the services they offer. Does the facility offer medication-assisted treatment? Does it offer counseling?

Overcome Opioid Addiction and Accomplish Your Goals

Addiction can make it feel like your life is out of control. Setting the goal to become clean puts the power back in your hands. By pursuing your goals and finding the right treatment, you can take back your life. The New Year is just getting started, and you have the power and opportunity to start your recovery journey.

Seek Treatment at a MedMark Treatment Center Today

MedMark Treatment Centers has locations across multiple states, including Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia. We offer comprehensive support and substance use disorder treatment, including counseling and methadone treatment. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you pursue addiction recovery in the New Year.

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