Recovery is anything but a straight line from starting point to destination. People who have recovered describe their experience as a journey. And like on any journey, if you don’t have any road signs, it’s easy to get lost. To give themselves a fighting chance, people struggling with alcoholism or addiction need to set realistic goals for recovery. So, how do we do that? 

Get SMART 

The SMART technique has been used time and time again to set realistic goals for recovery. And why is that? Because it works. Setting the lofty goal of “I want to be free from alcoholism/addiction and live a 100% sober life.” sounds terrific. Still, failure is almost inevitable without creating a realistic framework for success. So what’s the solution? To get SMART. SMART goals are: 

• Specific 

• Measurable 

• Attainable 

• Realistic

• Timely 

Breaking down your overall goal into smaller, actionable steps will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and boost your confidence that you can do this. While taking inspiration from others can also be helpful, it’s equally as important to look within and decide for yourself what success looks like. Only you can go on this journey, and only you can make your dreams come true. Recovery is possible. 

Specific 

Being vague about what you want is a surefire way to prevent you from achieving what you want. Rather than saying “I want to be clean/sober,” which is non-specific, you could say, “I want to attend a group recovery program every day for my 90 days out of rehab”. Or “I will check in daily with my accountability partner”. It could even be related to the healthy habits you want to create to replace the unhealthy ones, like “I will go to the gym minimum three times a week” or “I will attend therapy once a week and be 100% honest with my therapist at all times.” 

Measurable

In order to know if you’re achieving success, you must be able to measure your progress. Once you’ve established your overall goals, you must break down the criteria you must meet to accomplish them. If part of your recovery journey is finding employment, you could measure success by finding a job. If your goals are related to the relationships that have been damaged as part of addiction, you could measure success by how many apologies you’ve made or times you offered help and support to others. Visualize your success as a ladder, each achievement pushing you closer to the top. 

Attainable 

Setting unattainable goals is a surefire way to relapse. You need to assess what actions you can take under your current circumstances and stick to those until they change. What does that mean? Keep your objectives to what you can do right now. Perhaps your finances aren’t in great shape, so you can set a goal of creating a reasonable budget and measure your success by how well you stick to it. Maybe you can’t afford expensive therapy, but you do have sobriety support groups in your area, so you can commit to attending them regularly and then use some of the money you’ve saved through budgeting to attend therapy in the future. 

Realistic

Setting realistic goals for recovery is the most significant gift you can give yourself. You know, besides actually stopping drinking and using substances. Impractical aspirations are an act of self-harm, leaving you feeling powerless and deflated when your objectives are always out of reach. The right kind of goals should push you, not put you down. So, instead of saying that you will now meditate for an hour every day and night, you can challenge yourself to try it for five minutes in the morning or evening and build from there. Instead of saying that you will lift weights six days a week and only eat lean protein and vegetables, aim for three or four while allowing treat days and rewards for your hard work. 

Timely 

Not having a time limit is as harmful to recovery as not setting realistic goals. An unclear, open-ended objective creates no impetus for action. Deadlines push us to get things done, and attaching a deadline to each of your dreams is crucial. If you want to get a new job, don’t just say that you’ll start applying. Set yourself the task of setting up interviews within the next month and securing stable employment within two. If you want to move out of an area full of people you used to drink or use with, task yourself to save up for a deposit for somewhere new within the next three months. Keeping the timing slightly out of reach but not too far away is like creating a positive reward system in your brain, boosting your confidence with every goal you reach. 

Takeaways 

Recovery is a complex thing, and, as with anything in life, there will be setbacks, speedbumps, and unexpected twists along the way. The most significant indicator of success is the amount of compassion you’re willing to give yourself when they happen. Allow yourself room to grow through this process, and go easy on yourself when you don’t live up to your ideals. Another difference between those who recover and those who don’t is their willingness to be flexible and pivot where necessary. If something isn’t working for you, then revise your goals accordingly. The result could be achievements greater than anything you could ever have dreamed of. 

If your friend or loved one is battling addiction, know that help is out there. Get in touch for a free, confidential consultation with our team of experts. Check out our blog if you want more information on tips for recovery and mental health support. Always remember, you’re never alone; we’re here for you! 

Download our free guide to setting realistic recovery goals below.

Realistic Recovery Goals

How to set, track and accomplish your recovery goals this year. In this guide, we cover:

• Proven & effective methods for sticking to your recovery goals

• Printable worksheets to help you put it all to action

• Plus additional tips & resources to help you recover from drug or alcohol dependencies