How to Set Goals for Addiction Recovery

Goals are an integral aspect of life and give us a clear focus and sense of direction to achieve our ambitions in life. Throughout your addiction recovery, setting goals is paramount. These goals enable you to see your progress; as well as show you that your goals are achievable.

Achievable Personable Goals

Without clear personal goals, it is easy to feel a lack of sense of direction in life. This is true of people who live in mainstream life without having to struggle with issues whilst recovering from addiction – so how much harder for the recovering drug user is it to set achievable goals.

This is a perfect time to set close personal goals to start to find that sense of purpose in life. Some goals are very general – “I just want to be happy”, whereas others may need a more organised approach. It is worth taking time to think about these goals which are important to you. They may include the desire to improve your physical health; to manage stress, anxiety or depression, or to provide areas of self-improvement such as life-style choices; friendship and support networks (including spiritual and/or faith groups) and new skills and areas of learning.

In the first instance, we are also aware of the importance of ensuring that our basic needs are fulfilled e.g. that we have a safe and secure place to live with a means of financial support (whether through employment or financial assistance) and if necessary, with assistance to help with sober living housing any legal issues which may need a resolution.

It is not easy to set life goals and it is important to prioritize goals to maintain sobriety. Mental and physical health are crucial as better health brings about increased well-being and peace of mind.

Acknowledging unhealthy relationships that may have contributed to our ill-health is pivotal and it may be that these may need some type of intervention to protect your best interests. As we recover from addiction, it is important to have strong positive relationships with people around us and to be able to reduce the impact of negative influences in our lives.

Relationships simultaneously improve and as a result our support groups strengthen evermore.Additional goals, though important, may need to be delayed until others have been achieved or are well on the way to success.

Priortizing goals and spending time thinking through these will be time worth spent. One model for achieiving goals – whether personal or commercial uses a tool known as SMART.

However to set goals that are attainable, they need to abide by the SMART principles.

What does S.M.A.R.T stand for?

– S pecific
– M easurable
– A chievable
– R ealistic
– T imely

A goal provides a target – and a goal set with SMART criteria will focus on your aim and hence increase the possibility of achieving success.

To be specific, goals must be clear and organised. Using the five “W” questions helps the goal setter to focus on who will be involved in this success. What exactly needs to be achieved to deliver the goal. Where is this to be achieved and by when.

Further clarification comes by asking the question, Why you want to achieve this goal?
So the five questions: who, what where, when and why.

A measurable goal requires criteria if you are going to be able to measure progress and see how you are progressing towards your goal.

It is helpful to ask yourself, “How do I know if I am on course to achieving my goal?”

Any goal must be achievable – the challenge will stretch you but it must be within your reach. It is important to ensure any resources you may need are available and advice from others who may have experienced going through recovery before.

Ask yourself is the goal realistic?

If the resources and support are available, and you are able to give the time to achieve it. To provide a sense of motivation any goal needs a deadline. When do you want to achieve your goal by?

SMART goals are one method to help push your journey to recovery further but with a given sense of direction. A simple checklist to help organize and achieve your goals will also enable you to stay on track and focused.