Self-Efficacy as Part of Recovery. DARA Drug & Alcohol Rehab

Self-efficacy is defined as one’s ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. One’s sense of self-efficacy can play a huge part on how one approaches goals, challenges, and tasks in life. This simply means that how you think is how you behave. There is only one way to start this process, one step at a time. In recovery this means that you cannot take on all your issues at one time, you must take each day, sometimes each moment at a time. There are some basic steps you can take to build your own self-efficacy while in recovery.

First you must look toward the future, not dwell in the past.

You have probably made many mistakes as part of your addiction. It is likely that you have hurt others, whether intentionally or not. This part of your life cannot be changed, but your future can. If there are people you have hurt in a way that it can be corrected then do so, it will help you move forward, if not then let the past go and start building a new life. As you start looking toward the future you also need to set some measurable goals. These goals need to be something you can meet in a timely manner and something that is important to you and your recovery. You must remember that you have full control of the choices you make and even if setbacks occur when working toward these goals. The biggest obstacle we face in life is ourselves. We must take control of our own minds to be successful, even if our goals seem unreachable at first.

Next you must learn to be positive. As the cliché goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Recovery is difficult and there are many changes that will need to take place. Finding the positive in the changes that need to occur is necessary to stay in recovery. In fact, taking this positive viewpoint can change how you achieve as achievement is for those who never quit, who do not stop working toward their dreams and goals. If you can respond to a difficult or negative situation in a positive manner than the obstacles will become something you can overcome.

So now the question becomes What is your goal, your dream for your life? You should also ask yourself What goals are you willing to set? These questions will give you a good start in working toward your new life. Relating back to recovery, you must believe you can stay clean and sober. This will help further your self-efficacy. To further build your self-efficacy, find someone who has done what you want to do. This can be someone who has been in recovery long term or someone who has overcome similar hardships to meet similar goals. This person will serve as a role model.

All of these steps combined will help you to set small, achievable goals. As you meet these goals self-efficacy will build and larger goals will be possible. You have made the choice to begin the journey into recovery so get started on building yourself up and meeting goals.

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