Looking forward to the holidays means looking forward to catching up with friends and family we haven’t seen throughout the year. Between busy jobs, family responsibilities and the general stressors of daily life, the holidays are a welcome opportunity to put all of that on the back-burner for a minute. Putting aside sources of stress or anxiety isn’t as easy for those in recovery though. Oftentimes, it’s even more difficult.
Avoiding relapse during the holidays may not seem different than the rest of the year but those struggling with addiction face unique challenges. Many traditions and holiday parties include some form of alcohol that poses a threat to sobriety, especially when our loved ones are offering them to us. So how can an addicted individual prevent a relapse this holiday season?
Be Mindful of the Surroundings and Expectations
Being present is one of the most difficult things to do when it comes to fighting off cravings and impulses spurred by holiday stress. When this happens though, it can be easier to accidentally accept an alcoholic drink or convince ourselves that just one drink couldn’t hurt.
At America’s Rehab Campus, we understand all too well that even one drink can be what starts a relapse. Having a sip of alcohol without knowing it’s what was in the cup isn’t a cause for concern though as long as a new drink is obtained right away. You can let the host or a close loved one know that you aren’t drinking so that you have extra eyes looking out for you.
Socialize, Help Set Up and Try To Enjoy the Festivities
There are a hundred little things on the checklist to prepare for holiday gatherings. Whether it’s decorating the tree, tidying the house or preparing food, there’s always something to do. Ask how you can help out to keep your mind and body busy during slower moments that are often filled with intrusive thoughts.
Taking time to catch up with your favorite friends and family is also a great opportunity to engage with others and push concerns of relapse out of your head. Additionally, you’ll be able to share your success story with them which can provide a boost to confidence and motivation that helps you maintain sobriety even during the holidays.
Give Yourself the Best Chance at a Happy Holidays
One of the most effective tactics to a successful holiday season in recovery is to ask your loved ones for help in the effort to avoid drugs and alcohol. There are multiple ways that you can work together that don’tput extra stress on those around you. It’s important to remember that you’re surrounded by those that care about you and would be happy to help you enjoy your holidays to the fullest.
Ways you can help yourself are through a healthy routine. What we mean is making sure that your day is spent working towards goals or performing self-care such. Take time to eat healthy meals throughout the day so you have the energy needed to get through the holidays. Set aside time to exercise to lower energy levels and reduce stress across the board. Lastly, give yourself time to decompress when needed to avoid getting overwhelmed at any point.
Seek Treatment if the Holidays Become Too Difficult To Manage
America’s Rehab Campus keeps the doors open every hour of every day, providing addiction and substance abuse treatment whenever it’s needed. Our team of professional recovery specialists knows that your struggles with drugs or alcohol don’t stop because of the holidays and neither do we.
Treatment programs we provide can even keep you seeing your family during the day, popping out for a few hours for treatment before returning right back to the festivities. Outpatient treatment such as this is ideal for those with a loving and supportive home life.
If the holidays aren’t as merry and full of loved ones, we also offer treatment that allows you to stay at our facility until completion. Removing yourself from a toxic environment is an important step in staying on the path to recovery. Please take a moment to contact our team with any questions or concerns you may have for yourself or a loved one.
