I used to drink to enjoy family events with my kids, and now I realize they are pretty darn enjoyable when I’m not buzzed. I used to drink through the stress of the holidays, and when I stopped, the stress actually decreased. Not drinking was still too new, and I found myself miserable and white-knuckling instead of actually enjoying anything. Landmark Recovery was founded with a determination to make addiction treatment accessible for all. Through our integrated treatment programs, we’ve helped thousands of people choose recovery over addiction and get back to life on their own terms. We’re on a mission to save one million lives over the next century.
Addiction Relapse Prevention Tips For The Holidays
The reduced sunlight may disrupt the body’s internal clock and contribute to a drop in serotonin levels. Therefore, people with SAD may have troubling depressive episodes, persistent low mood, loss of https://ecosoberhouse.com/ interest in usual activities, fatigue, low appetite, and sleep issues. The resulting stress may lead you back to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or drug consumption.
Holidays that Challenge Sobriety
Volunteering combats inherent holiday triggers because it improves mental health considerably and creates a supportive environment. Maybe it’s easier to go to the holiday dinner, rather than make waves by turning down the invite. In this case, put things into place to make the situation as easy as possible. One newly recovering alcoholic wrote AA slogans on index cards and kept them in her purse. When she needed a break, she locked the bathroom door and took five minutes to get quiet and read a slogan. Make a new holiday tradition by scheduling a massage for the day after.
Which Holidays Are Tough For People In Recovery?
Call a local treatment center like Into Action Recovery sober holidays Centers or a local crisis line. Make this holiday the last unsafe holiday for you and your family. A new, dependency-free life calls for new holiday traditions. Think about how you want to celebrate the season in a meaningful way while staying sober.
- We’re here 24/7 to help you get the care you need to live life on your terms, without drugs or alcohol.
- There are different levels of sobriety, and what counts as “sober” can vary from person to person.
- A relapse does not mean that you are weak or that you have failed.
We use 12-step programs at Stonegate Center because they offer powerful support, accountability, and a sense of community. Both the holiday blues and SAD are temporary and usually go away after the season. However, many people are recovering not just from substance abuse but also a co-occurring mental health condition such as anxiety or depression. The holidays can exacerbate those pre-existing conditions, which can make the season more difficult to navigate without the right mental health support.
A support group, outpatient rehab program, or therapist can provide useful guidance. Your support team can help you prepare for situations where you might encounter alcohol. The holiday season is often full of gatherings with loved ones, neighbors, or coworkers. While the events are designed to be joyful, they may also induce stress. It is also likely that alcohol will be served at many of these parties.
Christmas
I seemed to have it all together — I was “high functioning,” you could say — but eventually I couldn’t even fool myself. The “edge” I continued to take off every evening got bigger and bigger until wine wouldn’t even touch it. Ifyou are facing a medical emergency or considering suicide or self harm, please call 911immediately.
A mistake is not a relapse, and it’s not going to land you in rehab, but those secrets might. If you want to stay sober during the holidays, look for every opportunity to be of service. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter, reach out to a newcomer at a meeting, spend time with an elderly loved one or neighbor. There are a million different ways to give back, pay it forward and be of service, and each opportunity guides you further away from resentment, self-pity and fear.
You may find yourself missing loved ones you have lost or who live far away. With a few creative strategies, we can still participate in holiday fun without going broke. For example, if you want to entertain, consider a potluck meal.
The winter holidays can be difficult if you are new to sobriety, or if you tend to have a more difficult time with mental health during the winter months. 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. 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. Drinking, or using drugs, can be a pastime that’s taken for granted among friends and family. But it can alienate people who are sober, and that sense of isolation can become another trigger. It’s common for people who are in addiction recovery to feel heightened anxiety regarding their sobriety around the holidays.