Resolutions Reimagined: Why 'Getting Sober' Isn't Enough (And What to Aim for Instead)

Ah, New Year's resolutions – that magical time when we all collectively decide to become perfect humans overnight. And if you're thinking about recovery (or already in it), you've probably heard the classic: "This year, I'm getting sober!"

Spoiler alert: I've been on both sides of that declaration – first as the person making it, then as the counselor hearing it. Let me tell you something they don't put on those inspirational recovery posters: according to research, about 80% of New Year's resolutions fail within six weeks. Ouch.

But here's the plot twist – I'm not here to rain on your recovery parade. As someone who traded meth for a master's degree (talk about an upgrade), I'm here to tell you why "getting sober" isn't enough... and what you should aim for instead.

The Problem with "Getting Sober" as a Resolution

Look, saying "I'm getting sober" is like saying "I'm getting successful." Cool intention, but what does that actually mean? It's like trying to eat soup with a fork – you've got the right idea, but wrong tool.

Studies show that unrealistic goals, emotional triggers, and the effects of addiction on the brain can make sticking to broad resolutions particularly difficult. No kidding – my first attempt at recovery was about as successful as trying to teach my cat to fetch.

What to Aim for Instead (Because We're Getting Creative Here)

1. The "Tiny Victories" Revolution
   Instead of "I'm getting sober," try: "I'm going to learn one new coping skill each month." Research indicates that personalized, specific goals can increase success rates by up to 60%. That's right – sometimes smaller is better (something I wish someone had told me during my "I can handle everything at once" phase).

2. The "Plot Twist" Approach
   Rather than focusing solely on what you're giving up, focus on what you're gaining. For example:

   • January: Learn to cook one meal that doesn't come from a box
   • February: Find a workout that doesn't make you want to cry
   • March: Master the art of saying "no" without adding "sorry" (still working on this one myself)

3. The "Reality Check" Resolution
   Here's something they don't tell you in recovery school (okay, they do, but we often don't listen): According to addiction specialists, about 75% of people eventually recover from addiction – but their paths look wildly different. Some people (like yours truly) can still enjoy a beer while having kicked other substances to the curb. Others need complete abstinence. Both are valid, both are recovery.

The Secret Sauce (Or What I Learned the Hard Way)

After years of counseling others (and continuing my own journey), here's what actually works:

1. Get Specific AF
   Instead of "I'll go to meetings," try "I'll hit the Tuesday night group where Karen brings those amazing cookies." (Yes, sometimes we go for the cookies. No, we're not ashamed.)

2. Build Your Weird Recovery Toolkit
   Recent trends in recovery show that the most successful approaches are often the most personalized. Mine includes:

   • A stress ball that looks like Nicolas Cage's face
   • A playlist titled "Songs for When I Want to Fight the World"
   • A list of dad jokes (because sometimes you need to laugh at something worse than your problems)

3. Plan for the Plot Twists
   Because life loves throwing curveballs, and recovery isn't a straight line – it's more like my handwriting after three cups of coffee.

The Real Talk Section

Here's the thing about recovery that nobody's Instagram post will tell you: it's messy, it's personal, and sometimes it looks nothing like what you planned. And that's okay. Research shows that personalized, evidence-based approaches to recovery are the most successful.

As someone who's been there (hello, meth) and now helps others navigate their journey, I can tell you that the best resolution isn't about getting sober – it's about getting real. It's about building a life where you don't need to escape from reality because your reality doesn't suck.

Your 2024 Action Plan (Because We're Practical Like That)

1. Ditch the "all or nothing" mindset (it's so 2023 anyway)
2. Pick one tiny, specific goal for each month
3. Build your personal recovery toolkit (weird items encouraged)
4. Find your people (the ones who don't make you want to relapse)
5. Keep what works, ditch what doesn't (yes, even if TikTok says it's trending)

Remember: Recovery isn't about becoming a different person – it's about becoming who you are without the chaos. And sometimes, that person still swears, drinks too much coffee, and occasionally forgets to match their socks. That's not failure; that's being human.

So this New Year, don't resolve to "get sober." Resolve to get real, get specific, and maybe get a little weird with it. Because the best recovery journey is the one that actually works for you – even if it doesn't look Instagram-perfect.

And hey, if you're reading this while wearing mismatched socks and questioning your life choices – welcome to the club.-Belle-