A life of addiction to drugs or alcohol leaves the person broken and he loses his sense of direction in life. He is no longer in control and is not aware of his actions, as he is in an intoxicated state most of the time. The step towards the road to recovery includes intervention and rehab. What substantiates these methods is the use of goal setting. This helps the person to bring back meaning by instilling a sense of achievement.
Goal setting in itself cannot help anyone. These goals need to be tracked constantly to ensure they are being carried out. The goals also must be effective and realistic to gain positive results. To be able to set a goal that is effective the person must know what he really wants. This does not mean what he thinks he must do, but what he really wants to do.
The first requisite for effective goals is planning. This should be realistic and also one that can be used during treatment and which can later be developed into life-long goals. The goals he sets should be after careful consideration and he must be well informed of the consequences of his decision.
The next step requires him to set a plan of action where he lays down the ways and means of achieving the set plans. The goal should not be achieved in a day or two. It shouldn’t be that simple. It should be spread over a period of time at least one week and at the same time require the person to engage in some activity on a daily basis. This helps to keep his mind on the goal and contribute positively towards it.
It is also necessary to hold another person accountable for the individual’s goal. It then becomes the responsibility of the chosen person to ensure that he is doing his part everyday to complete the task well within the time decided. There must be timelines and limits for achieving the goals and this need to be followed strictly. By continuously doing these goal setting exercises, he is better able to set effective goals in his recovery and life outside the center. Here he also encounters barriers and learns ways to overcome these shortcomings. Visualizing the goal frequently is a good idea as it works as instant motivation. Reminding oneself of the consequences if the goal is not achieved helps to reinstate the importance of the goal and work harder towards it.
To be able to set goals and achieve them is not a simple task, but there are still many who cannot achieve this effectively. The process of effective goal setting is taught and practiced at rehab centers to recovering addicts as this helps them to understand what they wish to achieve and how, to stay away from drugs and to recover at the earliest and to the best of their conditions. Effective goals help not only in recovery but also to ensure there is no relapse. The goals they set help them to continue with their lives and establish new things to do while meeting new people and staying safe and sober.
The practice of goal setting will give them the chance to look at a future they thought to have lost. It also puts into perspective their lives, where they are and where they need to be. They will make effective, well informed plans based on their understanding and utilize the tools to set goals and meet them independently. The goals need to be well within the reach of the person and effective enough to help him or her to get a grip on life.
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Information on this page last updated on 06/10/2007