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 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. But it can also be a very stressful time, particularly for people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Sober Holidays Tip #15 Remember that being in recovery doesn’t mean instant heaven or a perfect life.
Going to Rehab During the Holidays
If you’ve been sober a long time, you may already have a go-to answer when confronted about why you don’t drink alcohol. Still, it never hurts to jot down a few more polite responses in your playbook. Planning a holiday in advance ensures you travel to safe places with safe people and are supported around anything that might trigger a relapse or emotional disturbance. Triggers whilst on holiday might be airports and flying, new environments with unfamiliar smells, sights and sounds, language barriers, jet lag, and/or the unknown more generally.
Recovery Advocacy
This involvement can strengthen the sense of community and belonging, which is essential during recovery. Participation in charitable activities aligns well with sobriety goals, supporting emotional well-being and reinforcing a positive mindset. Some families might consider the holidays an inappropriate time to help a loved one get into addiction treatment when, in fact, it could be an ideal opportunity. For many of the reasons mentioned earlier, substance abuse tends to ramp up over the holidays. Addiction treatment initiated during the holidays could be the best gift you give to your family, your friends and yourself.
Benefits of Sober Holidays
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Or maybe you’ll investigate online meetings now, before anything happens, so you can go to a meeting at a moment’s notice. Remember, it’s okay to retreat to an earlier Recovery Zone for a few weeks. Stress-reduction techniques provide a simple, yet essential strategy for helping to prevent relapse in addiction recovery, especially during a busy or stressful holiday season. For people with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, such as addiction and depression, drinking or drug use may have been a way to self-medicate. Keeping in touch with your support system throughout the holidays doesn’t just make for a merrier season. And it’s important to have someone to text or call if you find yourself struggling with alcohol cravings at a holiday event or in general.
- Travelling with those who you trust, have a strong connection with and understand your sobriety can mean the difference between having a great first sober holiday and feeling triggered into relapse.
- Don’t hesitate to say “no” to situations that feel overwhelming or compromise your recovery.
- Spending quality time with loved ones through substance-free activities is encouraged to foster social connections without the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Engaging in community programs or volunteering at shelters offers a way to connect with others while also benefiting those in need.
- Explore the truth behind alcohol addiction and its health impacts.
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- Discover how historical figures in addiction treatment shaped recovery approaches and societal perspectives.
- Navigating social gatherings can be challenging during the holidays.
- Relapse among people with substance use disorder is not uncommon.
- Much of Newnan’s prosperity was due to its thriving cotton industry, which relied on slavery.
- Pressure to drink (real or perceived) can make some gatherings feel uncomfortable and downright stressful.
- Stress is a common trigger for relapse not just during the holidays, but at any point in the recovery process from alcohol or drug addiction.
- The holidays can bring out a whole host of feelings, some of which can be difficult to navigate—stress, loneliness, and even the pressure to overindulge.
Online support groups can be a sober holidays valuable resource during the holiday season. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), Loosid, and Women for Sobriety (WFS) offer essential tools and connections for maintaining sobriety. These platforms provide guidance and encouragement, helping individuals navigate challenging situations with support. The holiday season can be particularly tough for individuals navigating sobriety.
Red Flags of a Secret Alcoholic
It also gives you a way to occupy your hands, helping you side-step your alcohol cravings. The pressures and high expectations we place on the holiday season sometimes cause us to feel overwhelmed with stress and anxiety rather than merriment. Signing up for an alcohol-free tour group such as the ones mentioned above is one way to ensure you’re with people who share your interests.
If you https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/rappers-that-struggle-with-addiction/ become a ball of wretched energy during the holidays, perhaps your own expectations have become your downfall. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Sober Recovery’s «Terms of Use», «Privacy Policy», «Cookie Policy», «Health Disclaimer», and «Do Not Sell My Personal Information». The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Local and state resources for substance abuse and addiction can vary according to where you live. If you’ve slipped more than once, this might be a sign you need additional support, such as more frequent counseling sessions or an intensive outpatient program.
- Nourish your spirit, too, through personal reflection and connection with those you love.
- Not everyone has a family or friends to be with during the holidays, a time of year when particular focus is put on socializing and spending time with loved ones.
- Find some quiet time each day for relaxation and meditation—if only for a few minutes, no matter how busy you are.
- Just being around people who have gone through similar experiences, and finding a distraction away from drugs or alcohol, can offer the opportunity to ground yourself and your commitment to recovery.
- Discover which drugs make you more aggressive, from prescriptions to illicit substances.
Connections Mental Health
Keep your focus on your life right now, your life in recovery. Finding support after a relapse, or during times of struggle during the holidays, can be crucial. The communal aspect of addiction support groups can offer comfort during the holidays, especially after a relapse, when you may not be feeling your best. There are many activities to enjoy during the holidays that do not involve drugs or alcohol.
