Improving Decision-Making Skills in Recovery

Quality addiction treatment addresses the mental and physical aspects of substance use disorder, including a focus on creating a better future and honing the vital skills to get there. Because the progressive disease impairs judgment during active use, many people have struggled with certain aspects of life, like decision-making, that have caused them to seek out substances to deal with stress. Working on such skills in substance use counseling, especially early in treatment, is crucial for long-term success. With some practice, making better-informed decisions can make life and recovery much smoother.

Collect Necessary Information

Information-gathering is an essential part of coming to an informed and thought-out decision. Researching various outcomes and components in a situation where a choice must be made can also prevent impulsiveness or emotional reactions in favor of a well-informed result. Taking this step will also help alleviate uncertainty because efforts were made to come to a conclusion with as much foresight and data as possible.

Check-in with Emotions

Finding the sweet spot between over-emotional and emotionless is essential when learning to make decisions properly. Making purely emotionally driven decisions can have negative consequences, but ignoring inner feelings eventually leads to regret or dissatisfaction. Journaling thoughts and processing waves of emotion while approaching a decision can help sort things out and find a comfortable middle ground.

Take time to Think Things Through

Sometimes people feel pressured by exterior forces to decide on the spot, and although those situations are unavoidable, it’s vital to avoid self-imposing those stresses when unnecessary. Avoiding snap decisions when there isn’t an immediate need can help the brain rewire its abilities to envision and play out various outcomes based on available choices. After practicing this approach several times, it will become a more effortless and quicker process.

Don’t Overthink the Minor Things

The saying “don’t sweat the small stuff” is ultimately excellent advice. Some decisions don’t have drastic outcomes that can be used as an exercise in execution. Examples of these situations include deciding whether to go out to eat with a friend, what to wear to an event, which route to take to work and other mostly inconsequential things. It’s more beneficial to reserve energy for serious life choices than everyday stuff that shouldn’t bog down the mind.

Get Outside Support

Confiding in a trusted person when deliberating a decision can shed new light on the matter. That’s not to say that decision-making should be outsourced to someone else, but rather asking for advice. Especially if that person has personal experiences related to the situation, new perspectives can be learned to make a better-informed choice.

BAART Programs offers medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and other supportive services for those looking to address their substance misuse. Addiction is a treatable disease, and studies show that programs that include medication and counseling are most effective long-term. To learn more, message or call the nearest location and speak with compassionate and knowledgeable staff today.