Give yourself props every time you make an outreach call, head to a meeting, read recovery literature, say a slogan and rest. So deep, in fact, that when he does ask for juice, his parents give him lectures on how it’s unhealthy and full of sugar. She’s allowed us to share her story, but we’ve changed her name to protect her anonymity.
Why Are the Holidays So Difficult for Addiction Recovery?
- Other tried and true stress busters are taking a walk in nature, journaling, or sharing your feelings with a loved one.
- Embrace the journey, cherish your victories, and make this holiday season one filled with peace, joy, and fulfillment.
- These practices will help strengthen your ability to cope with holiday stressors.
- Incorporate meditation or mindfulness techniques into your routine to create mental space between triggers and reactions.
- Certain traditions, music, or locations might remind individuals of times when they used substances, leading to romanticizing past behaviors.
What’s most important in the event of a relapse is how you respond to it. One of the best strategies for preventing a relapse is to identify your triggers and come up with strategies for either managing or avoiding those personal triggers when possible. Feelings of loneliness can be triggering for people in recovery, even if they have a solid social support system. The stress of finding the perfect gift, or budgeting for gifts, can be a trigger for people in recovery, as stress in general is a common relapse trigger.
Care for Your Mental Health This Holiday:
Coming to grips with the idea that sobriety is not instant heaven is an important step in recovery. Most people with addiction expect their upside-down world to sober holidays immediately turn right side up. If you’ve been misusing alcohol or drugs for a while, your brain may need several months or even longer to set itself right.
- The demands of the season can drain your physical and emotional resources, making you more susceptible to cravings and relapse.
- With a bit of planning maintaining your recovery during the holidays is completely possible.
- The holidays can disrupt regular routines, but sticking to your recovery practices is essential.
- Give yourself props every time you make an outreach call, head to a meeting, read recovery literature, say a slogan and rest.
How to Stay Sober Through the Holidays
The constant flow of parties, family gatherings, and social events can feel like a minefield of triggers and temptations. Rather than viewing this as a burden, we can reframe it as an opportunity to deepen our commitment to our recovery and rediscover the true essence of the season. Define specific, achievable goals like, plan to stay 30–90 minutes, attend only part of an event, or limit interactions with a known trigger. Concrete boundaries reduce all-or-nothing thinking and boost your follow-through. Tell a trusted friend your plan and agree to check-in to reinforce your accountability while staying sober during holidays.
- While we all want to enjoy the holidays, the celebratory season ushers in added stressors that pose unique mental wellness and recovery challenges.
- If you are attending a party with many people who don’t know about your recovery, rehearse how you will refuse alcohol respectfully.
- You’re making me uncomfortable.’ I was like, ’How am I making you uncomfortable?
- Preparing polite but firm responses to uncomfortable questions about sobriety can help maintain your resolve in challenging family interactions.
- If you want real, lasting change in how holidays feel (not just surviving them but actually enjoying sober holidays), you have to start replacing the old drinking rituals with new, sober ones.
- Because of COVID-19, many people carry around tension and frustration every day without thinking about it.
Holidays can be joyful, but also challenging, for people in recovery. This is why having a recovery plan and a program is so important; everyone needs to feel supported during the holiday season. Planning is crucial when it comes to staying sober during the holidays.
Having a sponsor or trusted sober friend available by phone creates an immediate safety net when cravings or difficult emotions arise. These relationships offer more than crisis intervention; they provide daily encouragement and perspective drug addiction treatment from someone who understands recovery firsthand. Before attending any holiday gathering, share your plans with your sponsor and establish check-in times. Holidays can be incredibly challenging for everyone, but they pose an even greater risk for those in recovery from addiction, with many experiencing relapses during this season.
There’s a lot of pressure to always “feel good” and have a good time during the holiday season. It can be a little messy for all people, and people in recovery are no different. However, people in recovery are lucky to have coping tools. Preparing for the upcoming season can help you maintain calm and grab a little serenity along the way.
Although addiction is a chronic and progressive condition, it also responds positively to evidence-based treatment. We can help you get through the holidays while in recovery at Renaissance Recovery in Southern California. Lastly, enjoy the festive spirit and the opportunity to create meaningful memories with loved ones during your alcohol-free Christmas party. Start planning your strategy now, with these #soberholidays tips from The Recovery Book and the workbook companion My Life in Recovery. Cognitive-behavioral strategies are helpful tools to use throughout the holidays, especially since negative thoughts can increase stress.