With 2026 right around the corner, many people are thinking about their New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you’re planning to hit the gym more often or finally commit to eating healthier. But when you’re dealing with addiction, resolutions take on extra meaning. They become more than goals. They become lifelines.
Setting the right resolutions now can help you build the foundation you need, whether you’re taking your first steps or working to stay on solid ground. Here are five resolutions that can make a real difference in the year ahead.
5 Helpful Resolutions for People in Recovery
1. Strengthen Relationships With Your Friends and Family
Addiction doesn’t just affect you. It impacts everyone around you. Your relationships have probably taken some hits, and rebuilding those connections needs to be a priority for 2026.
You might notice that people have started pulling away or expressing concern. That’s often a sign they care, even when it doesn’t feel that way. Other times, you’re the one who’s pulled back because you’re ashamed or don’t want to burden anyone. Either way, those relationships matter more than you might realize.
Make it a resolution to reach out to the people who matter most. Check in on them. Ask how they’re doing. And when they ask about you, be honest about where you are. Whether you’re struggling and need support or you’re celebrating progress, the people who care about you want to know.
Strong relationships aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential. Your family and friends form your support network, the people you can lean on when things get tough. They’ll be there to celebrate your wins and help you through the challenging moments. Investing in these relationships now will pay off throughout 2026 and beyond.
2. Ask For Help When You Need It
Asking for help can feel impossible, but make 2026 the year you get comfortable reaching out when you need support.
Maybe you’ve been telling yourself you can handle things on your own. Maybe you’re worried about being judged or don’t want to admit you’re struggling. The truth is, reaching out for help is one of the strongest things you can do. Whether that means calling a treatment center for the first time, reconnecting with a therapist you used to see, or letting a friend know you’re having a hard time, taking that step matters.
Help comes in different forms. Sometimes you need emotional support from family or friends: people who can listen without judgment and remind you why sobriety matters. Other times, you need professional help. Maybe you need to check in with a therapist, reach out to an outpatient program, talk to your doctor, or reconnect with your alumni coordinator. There’s no shame in any of it.
The people who work in addiction treatment understand what you’re going through. They’re not there to judge you. They’re there to help, whether it’s your first time reaching out or you’re coming back for additional support.
The bottom line: Don’t wait until you’re in crisis. Make it a habit to ask for help the moment you realize you need it.
3. Pick Up A New Hobby In 2026
Substance use often becomes your main activity, the thing you think about, plan around, and spend time on. When you stop using or cut back, that leaves a void. You need something positive to fill that space.
That’s where new hobbies come in. Finding something you’re genuinely interested in gives you a healthy outlet and helps break the patterns that kept you stuck.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Get outdoors: Explore Florida’s state parks. The Tampa Bay area has amazing trails and natural spaces. Bring family or friends along and make it a regular thing. Being in nature has real mental health benefits.
- Cook at home: Learning to cook is practical and rewarding. You’ll eat healthier and save money. Consider taking a cooking class in the area. It’s also a great way to meet people who aren’t connected to your past.
- Learn a language: Always wanted to speak Spanish or another language? Now’s the time. Apps make it easy to start, and you might find conversation groups in Tampa.
- Try an instrument: Pick up that guitar you’ve been thinking about, or try something completely new like piano or drums. Music is therapeutic and gives you something to work toward.
- Join a recovery community activity: Many recovery communities offer activities like volleyball, art classes, or group hikes. These give you both a hobby and connection with people who understand what you’re going through. Explore Riverside Recovery’s Alumni Program.
The hobby itself matters less than finding something you care about. When you have passions beyond addiction and recovery, everything gets a little easier.
4. Establish A Regular Exercise Routine
A lot of people turn to substances because they don’t have healthy ways to deal with stress. Exercise is one of the best stress management tools out there, and it has the added bonus of improving both your physical and mental health.
When you exercise regularly, your body releases endorphins, natural mood boosters that help you feel better. You’ll also sleep better, have more energy, and feel stronger overall. Regular exercise can reduce cravings and help you manage the anxiety and depression that often come with early recovery or periods of struggle.
If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, start small. Take a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood each day. Once that feels comfortable, try adding light jogging. Not a runner? No problem. Yoga and Pilates are excellent alternatives that build strength and flexibility while helping you manage stress.
The key is consistency. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress. Even small amounts of regular exercise can make a huge difference in how you feel and how you cope with difficult moments.
5. Maintain A Positive Mindset in 2026
This might be the most important resolution of all. It’s easy to feel hopeless when addiction has taken over your life. You might think you’ve gone too far, hurt too many people, or messed up too badly to turn things back around. Or maybe you’ve been working hard at recovery but slipped up, and now you feel like all your progress is gone.
Here’s the truth: recovery isn’t about being perfect. It’s about progress. People recover every single day, no matter how bad things have gotten. A setback doesn’t erase everything you’ve accomplished. Reaching out for help, whether it’s your first time or your tenth time, doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re still fighting.
Make a resolution to celebrate your wins, no matter how small they seem. Did you call a treatment center to ask about programs? That took courage. Made it through a tough week without using? That’s worth celebrating. Hit one month sober? Definitely celebrate that. Reached your one-year anniversary? That’s a major milestone.
Marking these moments helps you maintain perspective. Recovery is hard work, and you deserve to feel good about the progress you’re making. When you focus on what you’re accomplishing rather than what went wrong, it’s easier to stay motivated.
Set a Resolution for Long-term Addiction Recovery
At Riverside Recovery, we know that addiction affects more than just the individual struggling with substance use. It impacts families, friendships, and entire communities. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to treatment that addresses every aspect of recovery.
We can customize a treatment plan that fits your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re considering treatment, currently in one of our programs, or need additional support after completing treatment, we’re here for you. There’s no shame in reaching out, no matter where you are in your journey.
Contact us today to speak with a member of our admissions team, and let us help you focus on your sobriety this year. Your best year is ahead of you. Let’s make 2026 the year everything changes.