Lose weight. Exercise more. Be more patient. Watch less TV. Stop drinking caffeine. Quit smoking. Millions around the world see the New Year as a perfect time to start fresh and turn away from “bad habits.” But for those struggling with sobriety, failing to make a change in the new year could have life or death consequences.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use leads to nearly 90,000 deaths every year in the U.S. and approximately 2.5 million years of potential life lost—shortening the lives of those who died by an average of 30 years. Excessive drinking is also responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20 to 64.
The start of the new year is the perfect time to commit to a life of sobriety. And it’s the greatest gift we can give to family and friends—a life free from drugs and alcohol.
So many New Year’s resolutions go out the window just a few weeks after we make that commitment on January 1. But for those struggling with alcohol abuse and addiction, the decision to get and stay sober in the New Year must be more powerful than a passing resolution. Committing to sobriety takes dedication, resolve and support from others, whether it be from family and friends or from a support group. Now is the time to make sobriety a goal for the new year.
- Perform honest and deep self-reflection and assessment. Ask yourself, “How am I really doing? Am I relying on a crutch to soothe myself to get through life?”
- Define your real goals. Write down goals that are spiritual, psychological, relational, physical and emotional. Think about goals surrounding lifestyle, habits and finances as well, and find a way to track these goals.
- Identify obstacles that interfere with attaining your goals. What can be changed to get rid of those obstacles?
- Be open to getting the best treatment you can afford to get your life back on track. It’s always safer, better and less costly to err on the side of over-treatment than under-treatment. Options include residential, outpatient, support meetings and medications, if properly prescribed.
- Develop good relationships. Choose two or three people with whom you can be completely honest. Then, be honest with them.
- Change your instruction manual. Be willing to admit that your own instruction manual for living life isn’t working, and learn to trust one with a much better track record—The Holy BIBLE (Best Instruction Book for Living Everyday).
- Accept the direction of trusted consultants. Choose two mature Christians who show that they employ life management skills in their own lives to advise you on how to run your life for maximum fulfillment and peace.
- Admit the root of your addiction. Know that many addictions come from someone trying to escape or self-medicate their past mistakes and underlying defects and wounds. Many stumble or relapse because they haven’t fully uncovered their deeper issues or healed old wounds. A 2022 commitment will take digging down to the foundation to address these issues and wounds.
- Forgive yourself and others. Start the process of forgiving yourself and those friends, family members or acquaintances with whom you’ve had some sort of relational conflict.
- Connect with God. Stop running from Him. Pray, but don’t make it a monologue. Spend time listening to God, then talk with your trusted advisors about what God is saying to you. And act on it!
Those with questions about treatment options for family or loved ones during the holidays can call the free, 24-hour Lighthouse Network Helpline at 1-844-LIFE-CHANGE (1-844-543-3242). The most effective help will incorporate God into the healing process to bring lasting healing and transformation. Lighthouse Network also provides online resources for those concerned about a family member, friend or a loved one. Visit www.lighthousenetwork.org/im-family-a-friend.