The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, what with the preparation and celebration of family, food, gifts, work, community events, and sometimes even travel.
If you have a substance abuse problem and previously used drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult situations, the holidays may feel like a never-ending maze of temptation. If you’re in recovery from substance abuse, how can you handle the stress and triggers of the holidays without relapsing?
Listed below are some suggestions for you to consider.
1. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself
It’s important to remember that stress is a major trigger for most of those struggling with addiction, according to White River Recovery. Therefore, it’s important to go into the holidays with as little unnecessary added stress as possible.
To this end, remember that you don’t need to be perfect this holiday season – your sobriety is more important than the number of presents you buy, how many parties you attend, or whether you are able to host the most memorable celebration.
You owe it to yourself and your recovery to enjoy the holiday season in a way that prioritises your own health and allows you to go into the next year with a strong mental presence.
As such, it might also be helpful to focus on those holiday activities that won’t put you in the way of temptation. If you know that a certain party is famous for its cocktails, maybe opt for an event with friends and relatives that are supportive of your new sober lifestyle.
2. Plan ahead
In the midst of the holiday season, you may find yourself juggling a number of competing priorities. As the holiday season approaches, it can be difficult to keep up with everything that needs to be done.
The stress and demands of this time can make you feel overwhelmed, and in the midst of the chaos the temptation to fall back on substances can arise.
Tackle this head-on by organising your life in advance, setting up lists, and managing your expectations.
If things go wrong, be kind to yourself: remember that you are not expected to be perfect. Often when we feel overwhelmed, or as if we’re falling behind, we may be tempted to turn to substances in order to deal with these negative emotions.
Again, remember that your sobriety is more important than any problem that might arise – and the greatest gift you can give to your friends and family this year.
3. Invite a trusted friend
Bring a sober companion with you to those required holiday events if you think the stress might cause you to relapse. Having someone to talk to and share your struggles with can greatly aid in maintaining sobriety, while also offering some pleasant companionship which will help you adjust to the idea of enjoying yourself in a sober way.
4. Set up a prevention plan
Even if you have a strategy in place to assist you avoid relapse, you may find that you need to make adjustments during the holidays.
You may not have access to your usual resources during this time, as your therapist or sober friends may be out of town, meetings may be cancelled, and so on.
As such, you can prepare for this temporary change by integrating habits or practices that help you stay focused on your sobriety, such as meditation, breathing exercises, or just finding time to do those activities that help you stay calm.
It’s also a good idea to let those trusted members of your family and friendship circle know that you might need a bit more support this year, and show them the ways that they can help you feel safe.
5. Adjust your expectations
If you’re feeling resentful or as if you’re reliving painful childhood memories around the holidays, it may be helpful to talk to a sober friend or sponsor about these feelings and the expectations you’ve placed on the season.
In order to recover from addiction, you need to look into and question the self-talk that keeps you fixated on what you feel you’re owed and what you’re missing. You’ll be in a better place to let down your guard and extend forgiveness to those who’ve wronged you, as well as to welcome the Christmas season with an attitude of thankfulness.
6. Focus on self-care
Take some time out during the holidays to reflect on how far you’ve come in your sober life. Taking care of your health with nutritious food, light exercise, and plenty of sleep can do wonders.
Past holiday seasons might have been about distraction and chaos. This year, make it about you and the people you love, and remember that a healthy body and mind are conducive to sobriety.
