If you find the holiday season particularly challenging, don’t hesitate to seek additional support from addiction treatment professionals. They can offer personalized advice and support to help you stay on track. Tackling these challenges can be as simple as planning how to address questions about not drinking or something as simple as carrying a non-alcoholic drink in your hand to avoid offers of alcohol. Remember, it’s okay to decline invitations to events that might jeopardize your sobriety. Planning gives you options to engage in enjoyable experiences that support your sobriety. Don’t be afraid to let people know you’re struggling; showing friends and family love is what the holiday season is about, and they should be happy to help.
Tips and Strategies for Surviving the Holidays as a Newly Recovering Addict
Here are some relapse prevention tips and self-care ideas for the holiday season, or any time. As with depression, anxiety is linked to addiction, making feelings of anxiety triggering for many people in recovery. For a person who is committed to their successful recovery, the holiday season does not need to be lonely or overly-stressful, regardless of your own personal situation. With a little imagination and planning, you can enjoy the festivities without risking everything you have worked so hard to achieve.
Can Addicts Keep New Years Resolutions?: The Difference Between Habit and Addiction
Create a safe space for them to express their emotions without judgment. When people notice your sobriety, they will probably comment on it or ask questions, so it is important to decide what you will say ahead of time. Have a plan for saying “no” to offers of drugs or alcohol, especially when people ask why you aren’t partaking or are pressuring you.
Holidays and Recovery From Addiction
- Of course, all of this makes me more vulnerable to returning to my old using/medicating behaviors.
- It can reduce stress as well as improve mood, self-esteem, and happiness.
- Even Elvis, the King of Rock ‘n Roll, sang about a “Blue Christmas.” It’s challenging for people struggling with substance use or in recovery to maintain steady ground at this time of year.
- Sometimes, the best support is simply being there to listen.
- Addiction treatment initiated during the holidays could be the best gift you give to your family, your friends and yourself.
- This means I may not have time to do my usual morning time ofconnecting with myself or my Higher Power or do my daily recovery readings.
Putting too much emphasis on the importance of the holidays will cause stress and may lead you to make poor decisions. The best course of action is to treat the holidays as just another day in recovery and continue to do the healthy things you have been doing to stay sober. It will also help to speak with your therapist or counselor about what triggers you have and what you should do when things become overwhelming. Additionally, you may want to rearrange your treatment schedule if you are planning to attend holiday gatherings.
Overcoming Holiday Triggers – Tips & Tools for Recovery That Works!
They may misunderstand you or forget that you don’t intend to drink alcohol. If you do accidentally take a sip of an alcoholic beverage, don’t panic. It’s only a sip, and it doesn’t mean you’ve relapsed—or that you should entertain the thought of relapsing now. When you take the opportunity to connect with others—to see, value and honor their experience—you exercise empathy.
- Here’s a guide to understanding holiday triggers and how to ensure addiction and the holidays don’t mix.
- Your support and belief in their ability to navigate the holidays in recovery can be a powerful motivator.
- It can be a way to address mental health concerns like depression, loneliness and isolation while staying safe during the pandemic.
- Bathrooms are great because people rarely will argue with us if we say,“Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.” When we are in the bathroom (or some place private) we can blink and breath.
- You are not responsible for your guest’s recovery, even if that guest is your child, sibling, or parent.
- Avoid the well-meaning yet intrusive questions about their beverage choices, and instead, focus on enjoying the festive moments together.
Financial strain is a common stressor during the holidays. Our hope is merely to capture the spirit of the fellowships, and to approach people with the language they commonly use to describe the disease of addiction. Has your porn use or sexual behavior escalated into an addiction? Watch reframing holidays in early recovery this video to learn the 3 main criteria necessary for porn or sexual behavior to be considered an addiction. There are some common ways that boundary violations occur in relationships where addiction, including porn or sex addiction is happening.
- Finding new sober holiday activities is a great way to banish boredom and fill the time you previously would have spent drinking or using.
- Watch this video to learn the 3 main criteria necessary for porn or sexual behavior to be considered an addiction.
- There are many activities to enjoy during the holidays that do not involve drugs or alcohol.
Some of us are addicted to substances or behaviors that are very socially acceptable, especially over the holidays. Alcohol, food, sports gambling, shopping, and other activities are almost synonymous with the holiday season. While you’re abstaining, those loved ones who “push” these behaviors will become even more noticeable. If you’re concerned about others knowing, find meetings that occur earlier in the morning or later in the day when you will not be missed from family gatherings.
