Addiction recovery is complex and unique to every individual. Each person going through recovery is on a unique path and journey. However, there are some things that professionals can recommend across the board. One of these things is setting reasonable recovery expectations.
An important thing to keep in mind when setting recovery expectations is that they should be specific to you, not borrowed from someone else. Just because a friend, mentor, or peer had a certain outcome for treatment and recovery doesn’t mean that you’ll experience it the same way. Throughout the process, try things until you find what works, and be patient with yourself.
Setting Recovery Expectations
There are several reasons why it’s important to manage your expectations during recovery:
- Setting clear expectations can give you something to work toward. Being able to visualize the steps of your journey can be extremely helpful, especially during difficult moments.
- By being certain about your expectations, you can stay motivated. This way, it’s easier to avoid getting discouraged if you don’t get the results you’re looking for immediately.
- Setting expectations helps you work with your care team and get their input about how the recovery process may go. It is a chance to have open and honest conversations. You can also share your concerns or fears with them and discuss where you’re coming from.
Timeline
When setting recovery expectations, it is important to consider the timeline of your recovery. Some people expect to have everything figured out when they begin treatment, but that often isn’t the case. You might progress much faster or slower than other people, and that’s okay. Understand that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and your pace and timeline may change as you go.
Honesty
When it comes to setting recovery expectations, be honest with yourself and your treatment team. If there’s a particular area you know you struggle with, take that into account when you’re setting your expectations. On the flip side, focus on things you know you do well at. When things aren’t helping you as much as you think they should, bring up your concerns; there may be a better treatment method for you. Whatever it is, being honest will help ensure your expectations are manageable and attainable.
There are a variety of things to keep in mind while you’re going through addiction recovery. Setting your expectations too high can set you up for disappointment and difficulty. To make it through the long journey of recovery, you need to manage your expectations and adjust them as you progress. At Avalon Malibu, we can help you set, manage, and meet your expectations. If you’re interested in learning more about setting reasonable expectations for your recovery, call Avalon Malibu at (844) 857-5992.
