The new year can make everyone feel like it’s time to assess goals and set new goals for the year ahead. It’s a daunting and exciting time for life changes. For those in recovery, New Year’s Eve can be challenging. While others celebrate with champagne toasts, it’s a great time to set sobriety goals for the year. If your teen needs support setting sobriety goals in 2022, an alcohol abuse treatment program can help.
If an adolescent in your life is struggling with alcohol sobriety, Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® can help. Our center helps teenage boys recover and build resilience in North Carolina. Reach our staff at 866.300.5275 to learn more about our alcohol abuse treatment programs.
3 Tips for Sobriety Goals in 2022
Everyone has a different addiction recovery journey. However, here are some tips that work for everyone, whether it’s the first or fiftieth week of sobriety.
1. Start with Realistic Goals
Every year, people make resolutions they rarely meet. The holiday is notorious for unrealistic goals. While long-term goals are crucial to addiction recovery, manageable day-to-day goals are even more important. When looking into the year ahead, start with goals that challenge you but don’t discourage growth.
2. Get Help Planning Goals
Professional help makes all the difference. Therapists, 12-step programs, accountability partners, and family members can help you assess your goals and make a plan. Many people have trouble meeting their goals because they don’t plan accordingly. Make this the year you ask for help.
3. Set a Reasonable Number of Goals
Setting goals is key to sobriety. They can provide structure and help people manage the day-to-day and look into the future. However, too many goals are another road to failure. Set a few key short-term and long-term goals. If those goals are related, that is even better. Make daily sobriety your top short-term and long-term goal. Let other goals related to personal growth, health, and vitality follow.
Sticking to Sobriety Goals
Staying sober is a daily challenge. Sticking to sobriety goals is easier when you know your addiction triggers and know how to manage daily stress. Therapists can help you identify your triggers and provide tools to manage stress, anxiety, and life changes. Some of the most common relapse triggers include:
- Low motivation
- Guilt
- Anxiety
- Hopelessness
- Depression
- Shame
- Anger rumination
- Negative thought patterns
- Stress
- Life changes
- Accidents and natural disasters
- Difficulty sleeping
- Toxic relationships
A strong support system can help keep sobriety goals in check. 12-step programs and alumni programs can help provide accountability partners and a sober community to keep goals moving forward. Open communication with family, loved ones, and housemates also help reduce the risk of relapse. If you or someone in your life is making sobriety goals, plan rewards for goal milestones like a nice meal or other sober celebration.
Begin Your Recovery This Year at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery
The New Year provides a fresh start each year, allowing you to begin a healthy, sober lifestyle. This can be exciting and nerve-wracking for adolescent boys in recovery. If your son or a teenager in your life is struggling with alcohol, Foothills at Red Oaks Recovery can help. Our team treats alcohol and drug addiction as well as co-occurring disorders. With a focus on family therapy and outdoor therapy, we help boys reconnect with their families and themselves. Our program focuses on holistic healing for optimal health by using equine-assisted and experiential therapy, as well as traditional therapies. Our clients build resilience and strengthen communication with family, friends, and peers.
Get your son the sobriety support he deserves. Call us today at 866.300.5275 to learn more about our programs.
