You Celebrated New Year’s, Made Resolutions: Now What?

By Dr. Vladimir Nacev, DCoE clinical psychologist

Now that the holidays are over, some of us may be struggling with resolutions—coming to terms with last year’s and already frustrated with this year’s. However, the best time to evaluate or assess last year’s resolutions was last year. The idea is that at New Year’s we start new, and hopefully with lessons learned from previous years. Based on my clinical experiences, I’ve found that many people find dealing with resolutions a bit frustrating; some may feel guilty when their goals aren’t met, and others may give up completely before long. Not surprising, keeping up with resolutions can be both challenging and rewarding. To be successful, people need a meaningful support resource—one that coaches, encourages, offers hope and lifts us up when we fall.

The concept of recovery has two similar, guiding principles—that of encouragement and hope. Recovery services are designed to support individuals seeking to overcome a variety of emotional, behavioral, and physical injuries, which exist on a continuum of improved health and wellness, and are integral to effective treatment outcomes and successful reintegration. Regardless of whether you’re experiencing an emotional, behavioral or physical problem, being continuously encouraged, hopeful and believing that it’s possible to regain a meaningful life, is an invaluable and powerful medicine.

Today’s model of recovery care calls for recovery support to be introduced much earlier; at the time of diagnosis and initial treatment, and requires that a complement of people and organizations be involved. It includes not only the service member and provider, but also the family, command or civilian employer and community. The aim is to help the wounded service member and family look beyond mere survival and existence. This encourages them to move forward, set new goals, engage in activities and develop relationships that give their lives meaning. Recovery support emphasizes that while people may not have full control over their treatment and symptoms, they can have full control over their lives.

Service members being treated for post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury, often feel vulnerable, stressed, sometimes helpless and challenged both emotionally and physically. These experiences are real and have a direct impact on an individual’s recovery. When supporting service members or veterans during their recovery, it’s important to encourage them to develop their skills and support them to achieve their goals. Further, it’s important for those in recovery to feel that people believe in them, that people are listening to them, that they get explanations for problems or experiences, and that they have the opportunity to temporarily reassign responsibility during periods of crisis.

Recovery is a process—it can also be a voyage of self-discovery and personal growth, providing opportunities for change, reflection and discovery of new values, skills and interests.