For individuals in recovery, it is not enough to enter the holiday season without having any preparations in place for staying sober. In other words, it is vital for individuals to create a framework that identifies guidelines and expectations that they can use to protect their sobriety. When families are engaged in the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ process of recovery, the outcomes improve significantly.
Go to Meeting(s) and Sober Holiday Events
Does the family have an understanding of addiction and the process of recovery so they can support their own emotions as well as the needs of a loved one in recovery? The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year… Or are they? The holidays, rather than acting as a time for us to come together, can magnify the ways in which addiction has torn us from friends and family over the years.
How to Seek Support if You’re at Risk of Relapse
Plan your activities, build a support system, prioritize self-care, and avoid risky situations like parties where alcohol is present. Having a solid plan can help you navigate the holiday season with confidence. Holidays often include additional responsibilities like gift shopping, hosting gatherings, or traveling. These pressures can cause stress, which may lead to cravings or the desire to escape through substances. Any support you’ve got in place comes in very handy this time of year. We don’t need to agree on everything, but it’s important that we’re on the same page as parents.
- Addiction is complex, as unique as the individual, and more often than not, traumatic for families in terms of the horrific loss of control while you see a loved one suffer.
- The holidays are a time to focus on gratitude, love, and fellowship.
- One of the factors that cause so many negative experiences and emotions is the amount of alcohol and other substances consumed during this time of the year.
- Discover how to overcome enabling in family therapy with expert insights & proven approaches for lasting change.
- Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process.
The Risks of Families Enabling in Recovery during the Holidays
- The holidays can be difficult for many people, but those who are newly sober face even greater challenges.
- Creating an atmosphere of understanding and comfort is essential for helping loved ones navigate recovery during the holidays.
- Follow that plan and remember that the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season is another day sober.
Give head nods or hellos to people you encounter along the way – spread cheer. Or simply turn on music at home and dance around, let yourself go to shake it off. By finding new and enriching ways to celebrate, you reinforce your commitment to sobriety and remind yourself of the many rewards it brings. Be prepared to address questions about your sobriety (remember, you can share as much or as little as you’d like). Please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or use these resources to get immediate help. Thriveworks offers flexible and convenient therapy services, available both online and in-person nationwide, with psychiatry services accessible in select states.
FAQs About How to Handle Holiday Triggers for Addiction Recovery
Your journey to recovery is a path toward a brighter and more fulfilling future, and the holiday season can be a season of healing and transformation. Early recovery from substance use disorders brings up a number of new challenges. For a newly sober person the holiday season can be particularly difficult. Many times there are still unresolved wounds in family relationships at this stage – family gatherings can sometimes get dicey, for everyone drug addiction involved. Creating a relapse prevention plan is crucial for the holiday season. Tailor it to include specific triggers you may face, such as emotionally charged family gatherings or parties centered around alcohol.
Tips for People in Outpatient Programs
For some, this may be a fun option, but reframing holidays in early recovery it can be triggering for others. Loved ones in early recovery are working on new habits and lifestyle changes. Despite best intentions, a drink that creates a desire for alcohol or its effects might inadvertently reinforce beliefs that alcohol is needed in order to enjoy oneself. There are questions and comments and, of course, spiked egg nog and holiday toasts.
- It’s equally important to be honest about feelings when interacting with family members, especially if certain dynamics may induce stress or cravings.
- The first step to successfully maintaining your sobriety means having a solid understanding of holiday triggers.
- Engagement with treatment resources is crucial for preventing relapse throughout the holidays.
- The holidays are a cheerful and lovely time of the year to spend time with friends and family.
- Loved ones in early recovery are working on new habits and lifestyle changes.
A Double-Edged Screen: The Complicated Relationship between Social Media, Addiction and Recovery
Make plans with your friends in recovery from your sober living facility, your 12-Step or other support meetings, exercise groups, work, or other places you have sober friends. The benefit of surrounding yourself with friends in recovery is that you mutually support one another. You may not be the only one trying to navigate the holidays without family. By spending time together, you create an all-new family that is built on love and the principles of recovery.