The early stages of addiction recovery are powerful and transformative — but also a time of vulnerability. Expecting perfection in your sobriety journey without a single misstep is a lofty expectation. While the ambition is admirable, such shoot-for-the-moon thinking can lead to frustration, discouragement, or a loss of motivation altogether. That’s why it’s so vitally important to set realistic recovery goals. By focusing on what’s attainable today, you can build resilience for overcoming tomorrow’s challenges. 

6 (realistic goals) to set if you’re newly sober

Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Even those with the greatest of willpower and resources at their disposal will find that unrealistic goals such as “never craving substances again” or “repairing all relationships in a month,” are a recipe for disappointment. 

The best way to create recovery goals is to…

  • Use practical strategies for creating achievable objectives
  • Celebrate incremental wins
  • Building a foundation for lasting sobriety
  • And above all else, approach the addiction recovery journey with self-compassion  

This isn’t just a bunch of woo-woo self-help talk either. Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse emphasizes that small, structured goals improve long-term outcomes by fostering confidence and accountability. Here are 6 examples of actually attainable goals you can set for yourself as you begin your addiction recovery journey. 

1. Create a daily routine

For newly sober individuals, having structure in your life is one of the best things you can do for yourself. The repeatability of routines can provide a sense of control and stability, while also making things easier on a practical front by removing some guess-work of everyday decisions and care. 

Crafting a routine doesn’t mean you have to plan for every minute of your day. It can be as simple as incorporating a few activities that you do without fail — like journaling after breakfast, going for a walk before dinner, or calling a loved one on the way home from work. Start small and don’t try to turn everything into a routine at once. As those things become a habit, go ahead and incorporate other actions or activities you’d like to make a part of your daily life. 

2. Regularly attend support meetings

The hardest part of doing anything is getting started. Having the support of others can make the journey less daunting and daresay, possibly even enjoyable. Whether you have access to support meetings through your drug rehab facility, an organization like Alcoholics Anonymous, or some other source, make a point to attend those meetings regularly. Not only does this lend itself nicely to establishing a routine, but attending meetings regularly can help you establish a connection with others who are going through the same thing. This leads us to goal number three…

3. Build a support network

Addiction recovery, especially in the beginning, is not the time to be a lone wolf. Having a support network means more than just having someone to talk to. It’s about having people who care about your well-being and can support your recovery in practical ways like helping you cook or taking you to-and-from care, and will hold you accountable and encourage you to stick to your goal. A support network can be composed of anyone: friends, family, those who’ve experienced addiction in the past and those who haven’t. All that matters is that they’ve made a commitment to be there for you and can be relied on as needed. 

4. Prioritize physical health

Becoming healthy again means healing both the brain and the body. One way to prioritize physical health is through exercise. It’s a cheat code for boosting your mood and feeling great about yourself by unlocking all of the brain’s feel-good chemicals (and at the very least, is a healthy distraction when you need one). Even 15 minutes of daily movement counts. Other ways to take better care of yourself physically are to focus on hydration and nutrition. 

5. Practice mindfulness daily

 Making a conscious effort to take time out of your day to connect with yourself is a fantastic practice for someone in recovery. Practices like deep breathing, journaling, or meditation help manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and encourage self-reflection. We’ll be the first to admit, however, that getting started can be challenging. One easy practice is to spare five minutes each morning to center yourself. This can involve listening to guided meditations or affirmations or just sitting quietly without distractions.

6. Set boundaries

Lastly, and perhaps, the most important when it comes to achieving sobriety, is to set boundaries with others, and possibly even yourself. Odds are, you already have an idea of the people around you who aren’t a good influence. Setting boundaries with them can mean formally letting them know you will be limiting or completely cutting off contact, or it can mean you making an effort to avoid engaging with them. Protect your sobriety by limiting contact with toxic relationships or environments. Politely decline invitations to high-risk situations.