How to do Holidays in Recovery: Avoiding Relapse

 

The holidays and Birthdays are a time to spend with family, friends and loved ones. For those in recovery, these can be a difficult time of year. This article will provide some useful tips on how to do the holidays in recovery.

1) Plan ahead and don’t get caught up in the moment.

2) Be prepared for what you will encounter. You may find yourself at a party or dinner where alcohol is being served and you need to decide if it is worth it to stay or leave.

3) If you are tempted by substances, remember that your sobriety is more important than any one night of drinking or using.

4) Try to stay away from triggers such as alcohol, drugs, gambling and shopping sprees during this time of year.

People who are recovering from addiction are often faced with the challenge of having to deal with the holidays. It can be a difficult time for everyone, but it can be especially difficult for those who are trying to stay sober.

Recovering addicts should not feel pressured to celebrate or put themselves in situations that could lead to relapse. They should also not isolate themselves from their family and friends during this time of year. There are ways that they can do celebrations in recovery, but it all depends on what works best for them as an individual.

It is crucial to make sure that you are not celebrating any holidays or birthdays as “normies do”. This is because although the temptation to drink or use drugs might be high, the results and consequences of using mind and mood altering substances are still always the same for us.

If you do celebrate holidays, make sure that you have a plan in place. This way, you will be able to stay sober and enjoy the holiday with your family and friends.

1 Have 1 - 2 recovery centered phone numbers you can call

  1. Find out where the local meetings are or find an online group you can go to if ever in need

  2. Make a gratitude list of what your recovery has made avalible to you. Example:

    I am grateful for (my, the, a) ___________.

    Because ______________》.

  3. Play the tape through. If you think using might be a good idea, first determine the following consequences of the relapse from beginning to end. Is it truely worth the risk?

  4. Ask your friends and family to help you

    (Set boundaries). Sometimes others will be more than happy to move items that are not good for your recovery either out of site or throw them away! Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself! You are worth it.

There are many ways to celebrate holidays in recovery. You can plan a sober party with your loved ones or go on a sober vacation together. You can also create personalized cards for your family members and send them on their birthdays or special events so they know how much they mean to you!


Leave a comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.