Why is inpatient alcohol rehab recommended for most alcoholics seeking recovery, especially when outpatient programs are widely accessible? It’s because residential treatment is often the best option for most people. However, not all people have the same short-term or long-term goals for alcohol use disorder recovery.
The reality is that substance abuse of any kind develops little by little—typically over long periods. The journey to addiction recovery can feel very long indeed. In fact, recovery takes commitment and strength. Moreover, the process often works better by establishing personal goals to aim for along with sobriety.
Detox and withdrawal are part of the first step, and as painful as that stage can be, it’s nothing compared to a lifetime of skillfully avoiding triggers and managing being sober. To successfully get over addictive behaviors, you need to build new ways of thinking to help you reach your goals. Looking for an alcohol addiction treatment program in Texas? Call Santé Center for Healing at 866.238.3154 or contact our team online.
What Should Be a Client’s Short-Term Goals for Alcohol Abuse Recovery?
When it comes to identifying the long-term and short-term goals for alcohol abuse recovery, a client participating in an addiction treatment program is usually helped by a specialist. It can be daunting to think of these goals without professional help.
While long-term goals for substance abuse recovery are easy to list—as most of them may just revolve around building a much better life—short-term goals can be difficult to figure out. However, it’s essential to identify what you want to aim for immediately because achieving these goals can give you a much-needed motivational boost and make your recovery journey much less intimidating.
Here are some short-term goals you can consider adding to your list:
Discard your drug- or alcohol-related items and contacts
You probably have a few items hidden in your home, your car, or even in your work locker or desk. All of these serve as reminders of your addictive behavior-driven past, and you don’t need them anymore. Throw them away, along with the contact details of friends you hung around with during your addiction.
Find a recovery sponsor or a local support group
It’s essential to find allies in your recovery. You need people to turn to when you’re struggling and close to relapsing, and they need to be available for the most part. Start by reaching out to other alumni of your rehab program, or ask about support groups in your area, such as the local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Work on relationships you want to save
It’s not uncommon for alcoholics to inadvertently burn bridges before they get professional help. Rebuilding already damaged relationships takes time, and you should try to focus on only one of them at a time. The great thing about this short-term goal is that rehab programs typically give clients tools to help with communicating with people they care about more effectively. And positive relationships only add to the strong foundation you need to thrive in sobriety.
Commit to doing something positive each day
As addiction is generally seen as a loss of control, a routine can become an effective way to maintain sobriety. Something positive doesn’t have to be an action that benefits someone else. In fact, it can be self-care, such as journaling or exercising.
Try new things or go back to old passions
Too much idle time isn’t good for anyone, especially for people on the addiction recovery path. Getting involved in a new interest or an old hobby can be both productive and helpful for keeping your mind off triggers and other negative thoughts.
What Should Be a Client’s Long-Term Goals for Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery?
Alcohol addiction recovery is a lifelong journey. Therefore, long-term goals for alcoholics seeking to build a better life don’t have a deadline. Some may think of them as simple guidelines for living their lives with a positive outlook.
Long-term goals for substance abuse recovery help people to see the big picture. After all, even though it’s probably made a huge impact, addiction doesn’t comprise everything in someone’s life. It’s only a part of who someone is—separate from their identity or their purpose.
However, it’s important to realize that distant long-term goals can become overwhelming. Be careful to use the right words when bringing your goals into existence by naming them. Goals that contain the words “always,” “forever,” and “never” are often sources of feelings of fear, discouragement, guilt, and obligation.
Long-term goals for alcohol addiction recovery should be tangible, measurable, realistic, and personal. Every person will have different motivations and inspirations, but some areas to consider when identifying long-term goals are the following:
- Career: Seek a new job, apply new skills, etc.
- Education: Learn more by reading, take some classes, get your GED, etc.
- Financial: Get out of debt, learn ways to seek assistance, etc.
- Health: Eat better, sleep better, exercise daily, etc.
- Service: Volunteer, help other people in recovery, etc.
What Should Clients Expect From an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program?
Long-term and short-term goals for alcohol abuse recovery were covered above, but how does this information help those still in the early stages of breaking free from their alcohol addiction? All of these details support the idea that inpatient alcohol rehab is the best type of alcohol addiction treatment program—despite any financial or other concerns.
Unfortunately, alcoholism—like any other form of substance abuse—is not like a cold you can treat with rest and some over-the-counter drugs. It is a chronic condition that requires vigilance and strength for the rest of your life. Professional help can help you handle the enormous task of keeping yourself healthy and sober. And if healing takes a lifetime, wouldn’t you want to be in professional treatment for the longest time possible?
An addiction treatment center’s staff of doctors and counselors can work with you on all stages of your recovery path, and help you set goals for recovery that you can work on after completing a comprehensive inpatient addiction treatment program. Most programs like this provide individualized assessment, medical detox, and residential treatment—and then transition clients to either intensive outpatient treatment or structured sober living residences. These programs also provide clients with aftercare planning to help prevent relapsing.
Learn About Santé Center for Healing’s Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Program
If you’re searching for an alcohol addiction treatment program that will help participants set long-term goals for alcoholics, call Santé Center for Healing at 866.238.3154. You can also contact our team online.
