What is your “why?” Keeping the reason for your decision to seek treatment in the forefront of your mind as you go through the process can help tremendously. There’s a reason you decided to make this change. Was it for your family? Was it to better your career and take steps for your future? Regardless of your reasoning, remembering why you chose to enter into recovery is important.
Why is your “why“ important? Think about the last time you made a big change in your life. Most of the time, we make changes for specific reasons. It’s very rare that we make big, life-changing decisions on a whim. Knowing why or the reason behind these decisions validates our choices and makes us feel a little more confident.
Keeping Your ‘Why’ in Mind
As you go through the process of treatment, it can be easy to forget where you started. It’s important to keep track of where you began and how you have progressed along the way. A great way to keep track is by keeping a journal or taking notes. This can help you not only see your progress day to day but also see how far you’ve come since beginning treatment. Additionally, this establishes a dialogue with yourself that you’re able to reflect on when you’re feeling discouraged or distracted.
Goal setting is an excellent way to not only keep in mind why you made the decision to enter treatment but also can help you stay focused on what you really want to achieve. Setting goals as you enter treatment can help you narrow down what you want to get out of the whole experience. Whether it is to rebuild relationships, become a healthier, better version of yourself, or maybe you have found yourself in bad situations one too many times and are ready to lead a different lifestyle. Knowing what motivates you to seek a change and reminding yourself of it daily will promote success during treatment. Learn more about the relationship between motivation and addiction/treatment here.
But First, What Is It?
Before you are able to remind yourself of your “why,“ or reason for seeking treatment, you first need to grasp what that is. This can be a little easier said than done. It may be that you ended up in treatment as a result of someone else’s preference or persuasion. Your “why” may change throughout treatment as you go through the process and learn more about yourself.
Taking some time throughout the process of treatment and recovery to really sit with your emotions and feelings and grasp why it is you’ve decided to make this change is important. Again, your “why” can change throughout this process. It’s important to assess your priorities and goals regularly as you continue making changes and decisions based on your new, improved lifestyle.
Sharing your goals and priorities with someone such as a sponsor or a member of the leadership team can be helpful in keeping you focused, as well. During groups, therapy sessions, and meetings, it’s valuable to share your reason for seeking treatment with others. Not only does this help you reaffirm to yourself why you’ve chosen to make this change, but it also establishes some accountability. Allowing others to be aware of what motivates you to remain sober allows them to provide reminders and support when needed.
You Are Not Alone
Remember, you are not alone in this process. You are surrounded by others who can support and empower you throughout your journey. Establishing some accountability within support groups, with peers in the program, or with a sponsor is important. This knowledge enables sponsors, staff, or trusted peers to help keep you on track when you are struggling or may feel you are falling short.
Seek help when you need it! Asking for help can be difficult at times, but there’s no shame in admitting you need support. This is what sponsorship and support groups are for. Allowing others you trust to be aware of what truly motivates you and what has driven you to enter treatment and seek recovery is, as mentioned, very important and beneficial.
Knowing your “why“ is the first step, followed by reminding yourself of this daily, and establishing some accountability with others. Think about your goals beyond treatment, write progress notes (and address them regularly), and utilize resources available to you as you progress through treatment and enter recovery. With these habits, you can set yourself up for success and be more equipped to manage any obstacles throughout treatment and recovery.
Entering treatment is a conscious, intentional decision that comes with huge changes to the lifestyle you are currently living. That being said, there is always a reason (or several reasons) for this choice. Understanding why you have chosen to take this leap, and keeping that in mind as you progress through treatment is very important and can aid in your success. Renaissance Ranch encourages consistent consideration of what motivates you and the inclusion of those who mean the most to you in your treatment experience. We aim to support you throughout the process by providing various programs, groups, and therapy techniques to ensure we are addressing your specific needs. Let us help you achieve your goals and ultimately live the life you deserve. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Renaissance Ranch today at (801) 308-8898.