An Addiction Recovery Checklist

A list of important skills and goals for your first year of recovery. Use it as a reminder and to help you stay on track in the days and months ahead.

 

  • Accept that you have an addiction.
  • Practice honesty in your life.
  • Learn to avoid high-risk situations.
  • Learn to ask for help.
  • There are many paths to recovery. The most difficult path is doing it alone.
  • Practice calling friends before you have cravings.
  • Become actively involved in self-help recovery groups.
  • Go to discussion meetings and begin to share. You are not alone.
  • Get a sponsor and do step work.
  • Get rid of using friends.
  • Make time for you and your recovery.
  • Celebrate your small victories. Recovery is about progress not perfection.
  • Practice saying no.
  • Take better care of yourself.
  • Develop healthy eating and sleeping habits.
  • Learn how to relax and let go of stress.
  • Discover how to have fun clean and sober.
  • Make new recovery friends and bring them into your life.
  • Reevaluate your lifestyle periodically to make sure you remain on track.
  • Deal with cravings by “playing the tape forward” What will happen if you start?
  • Find ways to distract yourself when you have cravings.
  • Physical activity helps many aspects of recovery.
  • Deal with post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
  • Develop strategies for social environments where drinking is involved.
  • Keep a gratitude list of your recovery, your life, and the people in it.
  • Say goodbye to your addiction.
  • Develop tolerance and compassion for others and for yourself.
  • Begin to give back and help others once you have a solid recovery.
  • See yourself as a non-user.

More Mental Health Information …

The book “I Want to Change My Life.” contains more information on how to overcome anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Last Modified:July 12, 2021