Decision-Making and Your Recovery

We make decisions every minute of the day: What time do I need to wake up? What should I eat for breakfast? Can I find time to exercise? What daily tasks should I focus on first? Will I allow traffic to stress me out?

During recovery, these seemingly simple choices can be overwhelming at times. This is because you’re still learning how to regulate your emotions and how to prevent them from fully driving your decisions.

Smart Tips for Smarter Decisions

Learning to make smart choices and decisions is crucial for preventing relapse and creating a fulfilling sober life – and these tips can help.

Weigh the pros and cons: While some choices can be made in a split-second, there are others that require greater contemplation. For these tougher decisions, try writing down the choice, plus the pros and cons. Consider keeping a journal so you can look back and see all of the decision-making progress you’ve made.

Consider the big picture: Maintaining sobriety often means making some tough choices – like parting ways with old friends or loved ones who could jeopardize your sobriety or who are toxic to your emotional well-being. But it also means making some great choices that will keep you feeling energized and motivated in your recovery. For example, should I take a new class or try a new support group? Either way, when making a choice, it’s best to consider the big picture. Ask yourself:

• Will my choice support my recovery or put me at risk of relapse?
• Will my choice make me a better person?
• Will my choice help me maintain self-respect and dignity?
• Will my choice make me smile and feel good about me?
• Will my choice allow me to stay in control of my emotions and actions?
• Will my choice align with my recovery goals?

Understand what it means to not decide: Making no decision at all is also a choice, and it can be a good thing when used correctly. Learning to make positive choices in recovery often requires stepping back to think through the steps before making a decision. Giving yourself this extra time can give you more control of your recovery and allow you to move in the right direction. Consider talking over these types of tough decisions with a trustworthy friend or loved one and then commit to making a good choice. 

 
Believe in the new sober you: A big part of making good choices is believing that you deserve good choices that can lead to better things in your life. This means learning to move past regret, focus on the present and believe in yourself and your abilities. While this won’t happen overnight, your self-confidence will grow each day as you remain sober. 

Post-Treatment Support for Men & Women

At Haus Recovery, we provide our clients with continued support as they transition from a secure recovery environment to a sober life filled with daily decisions, stress and tension. To learn more about our activities and services, call us today: 888-551-4715.