Learn how to make recovery goals with these great recovery goal examples. Plus, this article has a free printable worksheet that you can use to write down your recovery goals and the progress you are making on them.
If you have been wanting to set winning recovery goals, this article is perfect for you because it goes into detail about how to set goals that you can actually keep this year. No longer will you have to worry about not having achieved anything all year. Instead, you’ll have all your recovery goals written down!
Learn what recovery goals are, why you should set them, how to make and achieve SMART recovery goals, recovery goal examples, and resources to help you achieve success with your goals this year.
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What are Recovery Goals?
As simple as it sounds, recovery goals are goals you set that are related to recovery. Mental Health America defines them like this, ‘Recovery goals are objectives that a person sets that are related directly to their recovery (mental health-based goals), and that may have been put on pause due to their mental health condition (work, family, physical health, social life, etc.).”
It’s important to remember that recovery does not work the same way for everyone. One person might need a recovery meeting every day, while others need to attend a meeting and check in with their sponsor only one time a week. Since recovery is different for everyone, you might need to experiment with programs, counselors, churches, etc, until you find the right fit.
Setting recovery goals is not about perfection!
The Importance of Making and Keeping Recovery Goals
It can be difficult to make and keep any goals, let alone goals when you are in recovery. However, it is important when you are in recovery to set achievable goals that you can accomplish, because, let’s face it, you need a win! Don’t you agree that you need something to celebrate? You want to be proud of yourself for doing something you said you’d do.
Another reason to make and keep recovery goals is that it helps you stay motivated in order to accomplish them. After all, you want to reach the finish line in the race that you’ve set for yourself, right? Even if your “finish line” is just getting out of bed before the rest of the household every day for the next month. It’s still a big “win” if you do it, so be proud of yourself!
Set goals to be proud of yourself!
How to Set and Keep Recovery Goals
The best way to set and keep recovery goals is to follow the SMART goal pattern. This keeps goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
Set Specific Goals.
Specific goals name the details. They are not vague. This way, you can easily tell if you have achieved the goals or not. Making a goal that you will stay in recovery is great, but it can be difficult to tell if you have achieved it if you do not name the details. Details might include the who, what, when, where, and why of how you will accomplish the goal.
Make Goals Measurable.
Measurable goals can be determined. You can easily tell if you have achieved them because they have a measurable amount listed in them. If you say that you will drink no soda for 30 days, you have set a measurable goal. You will know if you have achieved it or not if you’ve drank soda in the last 30 days. It’s measurable, right?
Set Achievable Goals.
While we would all like to earn a million dollars in the next year, it will likely only happen for a few of us. Maybe you’d like to run a marathon but have never even run to the mailbox. It would be pretty unrealistic to expect yourself to be able to run a marathon if you have no practice running. Set small goals – things you can actually do in a reasonable amount of time.
Aim for Relevant Goals.
Relevant goals stay on topic. If you are trying to stay sober, a relevant goal would be one that is related to your recovery. For example, you could say that you will not set foot in a bar or club for the next week without the prior approval of your sponsor. Ideally, you probably should stay away from those places in recovery, but you get the point. Keep it on topic.
Time-Bound Goals Lead to Success.
If you say that you want to run a marathon but do not specify when you will achieve this, you are setting yourself up for failure. An open-ended goal can be fun to write down, but you’ll want to record the detailed steps that you will aim for in the next three months, six months, and the next year. Think about setting baby steps when you are in recovery.
It’s never too late to set a new SMART goal!
Recovery Goal Examples
The following recovery goal examples might help you as you set your own recovery goals. They are not in the SMART goal format, because each person will need to spell out the details relevant to them. If you are not available on Fridays because of your job, you cannot set a goal to attend a recovery meeting every Friday of the next month.
Long-Term Recovery Goal Examples
Long-term recovery goals are good to set because they give you something to look forward to.
Learn good coping mechanisms.
This will help you achieve success!
Develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
This plan can be very helpful for your mental health.
Restore healthy relationships.
Having healthy relationships is crucial in life and recovery.
Complete a 12-step recovery program.
This is an excellent recovery goal to set for yourself.
Make amends.
Making amends with friends and family is important in recovery.
Be hopeful.
Being hopeful can keep you going all day long!
Forgive others.
It’s important to forgive others even if they don’t forgive you.
Develop a positive attitude.
Positivity is contagious!
Gain independence.
You might need to take this in baby steps if you are depending on someone else.
Regain employment, if applicable.
This is another huge recovery goal to take slowly if possible.
Weekly Recovery Goal Examples
Weekly recovery goals are excellent because they keep you focused.
Attend counseling sessions.
Attending all counseling meetings and sessions will set you up for success.
Go to a recovery meeting.
This is a must if you are in recovery. Consider a step study group!
Join in a small group activity.
Attending an activity can be a lot of fun!
Start a healthy hobby.
This is a great way to stay busy.
Find a new accountability partner.
Be social and make friends at your meetings.
Attend a small group meeting.
This is when you get to share.
Practice gratitude.
Gratitude can truly help you in recovery.
Other Recovery Goal Examples
Adapt these other recovery goal examples to be your very own!
Find a sponsor.
A sponsor can help you take steps toward victory.
Detox.
This is a great recovery goal if you are considering getting sober.
Build your self-esteem back up.
You might have some damage from past abusive relationships that need to be repaired.
Stay busy.
Staying busy is the best way to stay out of trouble!
Determine your purpose.
Knowing why you are here and what you are doing can help you stay focused and not relapse.
Celebrate the small victories.
Even just waking up can be difficult some days, so celebrate the small things!
Look forward.
Keep your eyes on the future, not the past.
Exercise.
Physical movement releases endorphins, which are great for you!
Resources for Goal Setting in Recovery
Use these resources as you set goals in recovery.
Free Recovery Goal Setting Worksheet
Our Recovery Goals Setting Worksheet is perfect for writing down your recovery goals and keeping track of how well you are accomplishing them. Plus, it’s free!
Other Resources for Goal Setting
Goal Planner – Grab this goal planner with many different layouts for you to list the goals in all areas of your life.
Spiritual Goal Setting Worksheet – Our most popular download is this worksheet!
Goals Bible Study – This Bible study can help you get to the bottom of what you truly need to make your goals this year.
Spiritual Goals | How to Get Started (with Free Worksheet) – Learn all about goals in this comprehensive article.
75+ Spiritual Goals Examples and Free Goal Worksheet – This article is full of goal examples for you to alter to make your own goals.
Recovery Notebooks
These are great gifts or ideas to use when writing down your recovery goals.
This Serenity Prayer Leather Journal is elegant and can hold all the details of your recovery goals and how far you’ve come on your journey.
This Butterfly Serenity Prayer Notebook is perfect for your recovery journey. It’s beautiful and allows you to write down your SMART goals in detail.
This 5-Piece Pink Serenity Prayer Notebook Set is ideal for writing down goals and tracking them. Plus, it comes with several pretty pens to write with.
Conclusion
What will you set for your recovery goals? Do you have faith that you will achieve them this year? Which element of SMART goals is the most challenging for you? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below.
What recovery goals will you set to set yourself up for success this year?
