How To Set New Year’s Goals You Can Keep!
By: Lakeview Health Staff
Published: January 2, 2013
On New Year’s Eve, you make resolutions to fix, change, or add new things that you believe will better your life in the New Year. Essentially, you make promises and for most people, the goals are unattainable and abandoned in a few weeks. You have a busy life and sometimes it becomes difficult to keep up with resolution goals. When you also struggle with drug and alcohol use, that complicates matters and is probably the first commitment that is broken in the New Year. Take the time to learn how to set New Year’s goals you can keep now and well into the future.

What Are New Year’s Goals?

First on the list of resolutions is eliminating addiction. You want to stop using and make the goal to slow down or stop in the New Year. Addiction is a disease that you cannot control. You may have realized that now, possibly after making attempts to stop on your own. Drug and alcohol rehabs are established to help you eliminate addiction and learn how to stay sober. Call Lakeview Health at 866-704-7692 if you are still struggling with your addiction. Start out the New Year with a clear mind and on sober footing.

Most Common New Year’s Goals:

  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse – Slow down or stop
  • Weight- Lose weight or change eating and exercise habits
  • Finances- Save money or do a budget
  • School – Finish or go back
  • Relationships- Healthier ones
  • Employment- Find a job you enjoy

Set Attainable New Year’s Goals

Most of these resolutions have shades of gray; you may lose a little weight but then give up trying and gain it back. You need to set flexible and attainable goals for those resolutions. This will help you be successful in keeping New Year’s resolutions. But addiction is different. Because of the addiction pattern, stopping alcohol or drug abuse is a black and white decision. When you are using drugs and alcohol it is impossible to set attainable New Year’s goals. First you must eliminate drug and alcohol abuse from your daily life to start working toward your goals. Next you can ask yourself five basic questions when setting goals. 5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Setting Goals:

  1. What am I trying to achieve?
  2. Is my goal realistic?
  3. How will I help myself achieve this goal?
  4. What are some measuring tools to make sure I am moving towards this goal?
  5. Am I truly committed to this goal?

Think hard and be honest with your answers when goal setting. Fooling others is easy, as you have learned in alcohol and drug abuse patterns, but you always know your truth. Begin your New Year with a truthful and sober start.

Begin the New Year Sober

Addiction takes so much away from your life. Losing another year to alcohol and drug addiction is not an option. Get the help you need to complete goals and keep commitments to yourself and your loved ones. Lakeview Health can be a solution for you or your loved one. Our admissions team is available to answer questions or get you started on your road to recovery 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Call today to get your life back and attain your New Year resolution.