Overcoming Addiction During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time of merriment, family, and above all else – booze-fueled social events. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years, alcohol is almost always present (unless you’re attending a sober event, of course). Because of this, it can be an exceptionally tricky time for those new to sobriety. Additionally, the holidays can be an emotionally triggering time – visiting with your family of origin can be emotionally distressing, no question. You may also have some unpleasant memories attached to the holiday season – maybe you grew up in a household where the holidays weren’t the happiest time, or you lost someone close to you. Regardless of your personal circumstances, the holidays can be tough. Fortunately, there are numerous methods of relapse prevention planning that can and will come in handy during this time of year. Take a careful look at the following holiday-related challenges, and how to successfully avoid relapse during the holiday season.Your Teen's Transformation Starts
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Holiday Challenges to Addiction Recovery
First of all, there are all of the holiday-related social events – office parties, reunions, ugly sweater parties… the list goes on. While avoiding these events altogether is always an option, there are likely some events that you won’t want to miss out on. If you decide to go to a party where you know alcohol will be present, make sure you flesh out a plan ahead of time. Assume that other partygoers will offer you alcohol, and figure out what you’re going to say. There are several viable methods of rejection. Try saying:- “No thanks, I don’t drink.”
- “I’m designated driver tonight, thank you, though!”
- “No thank you, I’ve got an early morning.”
- “No thanks, I’m in recovery.”
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Family and the Holidays
Next, let’s discuss family – oftentimes, family proves to be one of the biggest holiday challenges to addiction recovery. Going home for the holidays has become as much of a tradition as decorating the Christmas tree. However, returning home isn’t always a pleasant experience. This could be due to a number of factors, some related to traditional family dysfunction, and some related to something else entirely. Everyone’s family is dysfunctional to a certain degree, and there are many coping strategies to employ when dealing with standard family issues. These include:- Excusing yourself from the situation.
- Making sure you’ve got daily 12-step meetings scheduled.
- Knowing what to expect before you go in.
- Having some sober supports on speed-dial.
- Practicing meditation.
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Family-Related Relapse Triggers
Returning home can also be difficult if you’ve spent ample time away, because your family may (unintentionally) try to fit you into a past box. You used to be a certain way, and your family got to know that person – but that isn’t who you are now! Rather than try and fight them or prove that you’ve changed for the better, reassure yourself that your personal growth is valid. Understand that you have changed, and you are continuing to grow, and that it may take time for your family to ‘catch up’. The ability to validate yourself is crucial. Additionally, this time of year may be difficult because you recently lost a loved one (or you lost a loved one a while ago – one that you shared happy, holiday-time memories with). If this is the case, other members of your family are probably feeling similar things. Rather than hide from unpleasant emotions, do what you can to support one another. You have the ability to help; nothing heals emotional wounds quite like a supportive family unit. No matter what your holiday relapse triggers are, make sure you acknowledge them and map out ways to cope with them successfully. For more information on relapse prevention or how to stay sober through the holidays reach out to us today we are available 24/7 at (888) 483-1517.SELF-ASSESSMENT:
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
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