As 2023 begins, many people are setting goals for the new year.  Most of their resolutions include saving money, losing weight, or taking that vacation they’ve been dreaming about.  But, for someone in recovery from addiction, setting goals for the coming year can be a little more complicated. To set practical goals for yourself, follow the principles outlined in the acronym SMART.

Specific

Choose a precise outcome. Most New Year’s resolutions fail because they are too vague. For example, “get in shape” could mean anything from losing 20 pounds to being able to run a 5K. Giving yourself a specific goal makes it easier to plan and measure your progress.

Measurable

Find a way to measure your progress. It could be how much money you save with each paycheck, how much weight you lose each month, or how many books you read that month. Schedule a reoccurring time to sit down and evaluate your progress. See what needs to be changed and more importantly, celebrate the steps you are taking to achieve your goals. 

Action Oriented

A goal cannot be achieved if you don’t act. Decide what specific steps you will take to reach your goal. Hold yourself accountable to those actions. Finding an accountability partner can be extremely useful when working towards your resolutions.

Realistic

Make sure your resolution is achievable given the resources at your disposal. Saving a million dollars or losing 100 lbs may not be realistic right now, but setting smaller, more achievable goals sets you up to achieve those larger goals in the future. Try setting aside a small amount of your paycheck each month, you’ll be surprised how much it will grow throughout the year.

Timely

Choose a deadline for completion or a daily, monthly, or weekly repeating timeframe for the task. These deadlines keep your resolution at the forefront of your mind and break them up into smaller more achievable tasks that you can feel proud and accomplished about achieving. 

The SMART goals framework works for both short-term and long-term goals. It is well-suited for people in recovery because it provides concrete suggestions for breaking down the vague goal of getting sober into a series of steps that provide a foundation for success.

Are You or Someone You Know at Risk?

December is Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month, and anyone can be affected by SAD. CADS can help with the first steps. CADS is committed to helping those in need. We are focused on support, care, and treatment services designed to meet the needs of each individual and their family members. Start today by taking our quick online assessment.

Be sure to contact us at CADS for substance abuse support, recovery, prevention, and treatment services.

Read More from CADS

Self-Care Tips to Help Your Mental Health

Substance Abuse Prevention with Youth

How To Help Someone Struggling with Alcohol and Drug Abuse