Author: Alex Thompson

Supporting Those in Recovery During the Holidays

If you or a loved one is struggling with drugs or alcohol, call Recovery Centers of America at RECOVERY.

Spend time with sober friends instead, or create a new tradition like volunteering at a soup kitchen. • Don’t plan to stay for the entire time if it’s going to make you uncomfortable. It’s fine to bring a friend as sober support or to call someone from a support group if you need to talk. The combination of alcohol and family dynamics can be challenging. Consider an exit strategy or a safety plan if alcohol is being served or if you feel anxious at these events. It is most important to find the right balance for your individual needs during the holiday season.

These are places where people have similar mindsets, and all want to build each other up in their pursuits to get and stay sober. The simple idea of going holiday shopping can be stressful on its own. For those in early recovery, you’ve probably haven’t seen some family members and friends in awhile.

Navigating the Holidays When Your Child is in Early Recovery from Addiction

Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC., LPC, is a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic. Moreover, as public awareness about the disease of addiction increases, the less stigmatized it will be and the more openly our society will celebrate recovery. Over 11 percent of U.S. adults (29.2 million) report that they have ever had a problem with substances (SAMHSA, 2021). Thus, in addition to those in recovery, it is likely that most Americans know someone who struggles with their use of alcohol or other drugs. However, just because these emotions can be too much to handle, they are not excuses to rationalize a slip. The disease of addiction doesn’t make exceptions for the holidays.

Let family and friends know in advance that you won’t be drinking alcohol at the event. Part of maintaining an active and engaged sober lifestyle involves change. Assuming holidays or certain family traditions have to be the way they have always been, can derail success. It’s okay to do something different, to change locations, to change who you celebrate with or the amount of time you spend at a specific event.

However, one thing that all triggers have in common is that they trigger emotional distress, which can lead to an emotional relapse. This is probably the most important thing one can do when going into these situations. Having a plan and understanding what you need to do in different situations is key to keeping yourself sober.

1. 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.
2. You may be alone by necessity, because you are unable to travel, or because your family is not available.
3. The rewards of simple acts of kindness will go further than you think to help brighten other people’s lives.
4. One of the most valuable sections of a relapse prevention plan requires an individual to identify potential triggers.
5. Knowing that you will be without family during the holidays, you will need to make a plan to successfully navigate the holiday season to prevent both loneliness and being alone.

According to recent data, approximately 21 million American adults are in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction (SAMHSA, 2021). These data suggest that most people know someone who is abstaining from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, chemical addiction is more prevalent than many may think. Ultimately, there is no magic formula to make things perfect for this holiday season. And I’m pretty sure there is no such thing as a “perfect” holiday season, anyway. In fact, it is often the bumps, hiccups and awkward moments that make for the most laughter and joy when we are accepting of the reality and beauty of our imperfections.

Find Your Sober Living Community

Fortunately, many recovery programs know that temptations only get stronger during the holidays. This is why most facilities offer support group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to help keep one another accountable for their sobriety. The holidays are a challenging time of year emotionally for many people. For as much as happy memories and goodwill are promoted, many people experience quite the opposite. 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. Both the emotional factors and the increased availability of substances make the holidays a time of increased chance of relapse for individuals in recovery.

It would make perfect sense that in preparation for that person to come home from the hospital, we would clear the house of the allergen and encourage others not to bring it into the home. Eventually, in time, as the person gains strength and learns how proximity to the allergen affects him, he may be fine with it next to him. As someone who has been in this position, I can share that there are three important guiding principles that can help families navigate these times.

Mental Health

If you have a loved one in early recovery this holiday season, know that you can have joy and peace in your life and your home no matter what happens. Know that the actions you can take are like the mariner’s work on the sails — but remember that the wind is out of your control. So talk as openly as you can and push yourself beyond your comfort zone to open up even more. Reach out for help and remember that everyone deserves the gift of support, including you. Knowing that you will be without family during the holidays, you will need to make a plan to successfully navigate the holiday season to prevent both loneliness and being alone.

Preparing for Holiday Challenges in Early Addiction Recovery

You may want to attend your own meeting to stay connected with other families with similar experiences. It will help to be around people who understand what you’re going through. Engagement with treatment resources is crucial for preventing relapse throughout the holidays. If an individual is unable to attend meetings regularly, consider attending virtual support meetings or keeping regular contact with a mentor. Responses to the holidays are as varied as the number of individuals who experience them.

Here are tips for those in early recovery on how to navigate the holidays. We provide a healthy environment uniquely suited to support your growth and healing. You’re not alone in this journey – we are here to support you every step of the way. Take back control of your life and start on the road to recovery now. Sign up now for a weekly digest of the top drug and alcohol news that impacts your work, life and community.

Trying to figure out who you are while sober, who your friends are, and how to act in family events are all different challenges within themselves. This may be true even if you are surrounded by friends, neighbors, coworkers, or other people. These feelings of sadness and isolation can be purely emotional and not related to whether or not you are actually alone. Having a plan will give you the confidence and clarity to go into these situations with your head held high. However – there are some instances that you just don’t want to put yourself in. If you see yourself going somewhere with just too many temptations, reevaluate why you’re there and create a new plan on how to get out.