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• Eylül 2, 2022
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Those in long-term recovery typically are adept at navigating the minefield of temptation at holiday social gatherings. But many of those in their first year of recovery, their friends, and family members wonder how best to celebrate the holidays safely, comfortably, and joyously. If you are in early recovery, you might think that celebrating the holidays is going to look quite different than in recent years. Attending alcohol or drug rehab means you are already aware that relapse is something you must always guard against.

Housing, Recovery and Peer Support

We have put together a list of tips and resources to help people in recovery from a substance use disorder get through the holidays. Thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, this year’s holiday season is likely to feel more “normal” than last year, with family gatherings, holiday parties, and many other traditional festivities making a cautious return. Everyone deals with holiday stress, but for people in recovery trying to stay sober, the holiday season places unprecedented challenges. 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. Not to mention, there will be triggers almost everywhere you go.

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If you or a loved one is struggling with drugs or alcohol, call Recovery Centers of America at RECOVERY. First of its kind program promotes the hiring of people in recovery, aims to https://ecosoberhouse.com/ remove stigma of addiction from the job market and workplace. Verify your benefits instantly to find out if your insurance covers some or all of the cost of a 90-day rehab program.

Watching Out for Holiday Triggers in Recovery

Peer Engagement Specialists and Family Navigators have lived experience and expertise to guide individuals/families through difficult situations and help to initiative the healing process. Taking time to care for our emotional, physical and spiritual health sets the stage for sustained recovery and can reframing holidays in early recovery often prevent a host of other devastating illnesses and chronic conditions. In 2018, I experienced one of the darkest days of my life when I lost my 15-year-old daughter to the tragedy of suicide. I could have easily given into my demons of alcohol instead of staving off all the urges and cravings.

• Responses to the holidays are as varied as the number of individuals who experience them.
• Assuming holidays or certain family traditions have to be the way they have always been, can derail success.
• These treatment sessions can be scheduled around the patient’s work, school, or home responsibilities.
• Leading up to my first sober holiday season since my struggle with addiction, I was living in South Florida, (away from my family in New Jersey) and I was about 6 months sober.

Behind the scenes orchestration to “help” the recovering person through the event can sometimes be unhelpful. Instead, reach out to him or her to see if there’s anything you can do to help the event go smoothly. If you do, be ready and willing to accept “No, thank you” as the answer. Then there is the actual physical distancing of being alone or separate from all other people. However, you can be alone and not feel lonely, and you can feel lonely even when you are not alone.

Shame and guilt can fester from within, especially if you find yourself in a scenario where you’re most vulnerable. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use may be even higher than in previous years. There has been an increase in alcohol sales in the U.S. from March to September months of 2020, suggesting more at-home alcohol consumption during the pandemic (Castaldelli-Maia et al., 2021). Thus, this year, in particular, there may be more individuals struggling with alcohol and other drug consumption during the holiday season. SMART Recovery Family & Friends helps those who are affected by substance abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or other addictions of a loved one. Our program is a science-based, secular alternative to Al-Anon and Johnson Intervention, and our method is based on the tools of SMART Recovery and CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training).

Beverages such as hot spiced cider, hot cocoa, iced or hot tea or coffee are often welcomed. Some people in long-term recovery drink so-called “non-alcoholic” beer and wine. If this works for them, it is of course perfectly acceptable. It should be noted, though, that these beverages generally do include small amounts of alcohol. For people in the early stages of recovery from alcohol addiction, these beverages should be avoided. This time each year can be stressful for anyone, but the holidays present a special challenge for people recovering from an addiction.

How To Navigate The Holidays Without Family During Early Recovery

Thriveworks was established in 2008, with the ultimate goal of helping people live happy and successful lives. In addition to providing exceptional clinical care and customer service, we accomplish our mission by offering important information about mental health and self-improvement. • 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.

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When people notice your sobriety, they will probably comment on it or ask questions, so it is important to decide what you will say ahead of time. Sometimes during the holiday parties we walk into a situation that ends up being more than we bargained for. When cousin Jimmy walks in smelling like weed, it might be more overwhelming than you anticipated.

People struggling with addiction often feel much regret in their past actions. Drug addiction recovery and recovery from alcoholism can be difficult, so be sure you remember to take pride in your perseverance to stay clean, to turn your life around. Positive thoughts and positive self-esteem can help you get through the difficult moments during your recovery.