To say that addiction recovery is a big job is a major understatement. Addiction affects all aspects of an individual's live, and so does recovery. There are lots of ways to organize addiction recovery. One big part of any treatment program is learning to set and reach goals.
Recent research shows that drug use can literally change the brain. Problematic substance use can affect the way people make decisions and process information. In recovery, learning to make better choices is key.
Of course, the goals people set and the way they set them can help determine the likelihood that they'll be met. Sometimes in treatment, patients are advised to set three goals per day. In general, it's a good idea for these to be small. Examples of appropriate goals could be to make better choices about food at mealtimes, to call a family member or friend and to read literature about recovery.
If someone is setting goals that are too big too early, they can also be setting themselves up for failure. In making a goal, a good acronym to remember is SMART. Setting SMART goals makes it easy to track progress in recovery.
In addition to using the SMART strategy, there are other things people can do to make it more likely they'll achieve their aims. Writing goals down reinforces them and adds a level of seriousness to the process. The same is true for sharing a goal with other people. Breaking down a goal into small steps in writing can also help make it more concrete.
Ultimately, when it comes to recovery the goal is to see someone put his or her life back together again. At The Haven, we take pride in helping people on their journey to sobriety. If you or someone you know needs help to quit using, reach out today. We're always here to help.
Categories: Education Alcohol Addiction Drug Addiction Treatment Rehabilitation
