10 New Year’s Resolutions For Addiction Recovery

Recovering from drug addiction (also called substance use disorder) takes a lot of hard work. However, positive life changes, also called resolutions, can make it easier. 

As the New Year approaches, consider making these ten resolutions to stay happy, healthy, and drug-free.   

1. Practice Gratitude Every Day

The better your mental health, the simpler it is to maintain recovery. According to the National Institutes of Health, practicing gratitude can reduce stress and increase your mental well-being. 

Even if you’ve never done it before, practicing gratitude is easy. Every day, write down at least one thing you’re grateful for. It could be something big, like your recovery, or something small, like your favorite book. Either way, you’ll teach your brain to stay positive and recovery-focused. 

2. Pick Up New Hobbies

When you struggled with addiction, you likely spend a large amount of your time getting and using drugs. Now that you’re in recovery, you might be feeling bored. Boredom is a common cause of relapse. 

That’s why it’s important to fill your free time with healthy, new activities, such as:

• painting
• drawing
• writing
• dancing
• cooking
• playing music
• playing sports

Along with keeping you busy, these hobbies can give you a sense of purpose and confidence as you progress in your recovery journey. 

3. Get Regular Exercise

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are natural pain relievers that act similarly to opioids. They make you feel calm and happy, which can decrease drug cravings and help you stay sober. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise (such as walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (such as running) per week. 

4. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is vital to the recovery process. When you don’t get enough sleep, you may experience stress and depression, increasing your risk of relapse.

The CDC recommends getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night. If you find it hard to fall or stay asleep, try these tips:

• go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day
• avoid sugar and caffeine at night
• keep your bedroom dark and quiet
• stop using electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime

5. Be Kinder

Being kind to others improves your self-esteem and promotes happiness. It also helps you connect with your community and make new, sober friends. 

Next year, try to complete one random act of kindness a day. For example, you could walk a neighbor’s dog, help a senior carry their groceries, or let someone cut in front of you in line. 

6. Learn To Meditate

Meditation helps you stay present and not get carried away by difficult emotions, including drug cravings. That’s why it often appears in addiction recovery plans. 

If you’ve never meditated before, just take a seat, notice how your body feels, and focus on the sensation of breathing. When your mind wanders, gently return your focus to your breath without judgment. 

You can also try guided meditations, which are available on various sites and apps. 

7. Limit Time On Social Media

People who excessively use social media face a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. When you have poor mental health, you’re much more likely to relapse. 

To maintain a healthy relationship with social media, try these tips:

• set daily time limits on social media usage
• don’t use your phone during dinner
• leave your phone outside your bedroom at night
• spend at least a few hours each week on screen-free activities, such as reading or gardening

8. Attend Support Groups

For most people, support groups play an important role in addiction recovery. Try to attend at least one group meeting a week. You can learn important coping skills and develop long-lasting friendships with people who’ve faced similar challenges. 

If you don’t belong to a support group yet, popular options include:

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• LifeRing Secular Recovery
• SMART Recovery
• Women for Sobriety

9. Ask For Help When You Need It

During recovery, some people avoid asking for help because they don’t want to seem weak. However, addiction is a disease, and as with all diseases, you’ll often need support when recovering from it. 

Whenever you feel at risk of relapse, reach out to a friend, family member, sponsor, or another member of your recovery support system. They can help you cope with triggers, overcome cravings, and, if necessary, find an addiction treatment program. 

10. Celebrate Every Success

Take time to congratulate yourself on every positive change you make, no matter how small it seems. Even simple actions, such as paying more attention to self-care, deserve celebration. That’s because they support your long-term recovery and show how far you’ve come. 

In many cases, celebrating success boosts your confidence and motivates you to stay sober. 

If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. Our substance abuse and addiction treatment centers offer a variety of inpatient and outpatient services, including medical detox, mental health counseling, and medication-assisted treatment.