For many, the holidays are a time to spend with family and friends. They are a joyous time of the year, but for some, they can present significant challenges. People in addiction recovery may be especially vulnerable as they navigate their sobriety. In treatment and recovery, patients learn to change the people, places, and things they associate with themselves. However, this can be more complicated during the holiday months.
Relapse is fairly common during the holidays because individuals attend more social gatherings where substances, especially alcohol, are present. People may also have to interact with family members or friends who are not sensitive to their boundaries or the fact that they are in recovery. This can be triggering for many in recovery and lead to added stress. At Evoke Wellness, we work to prepare our patients for lasting recovery. Our Ohio addiction treatment center helps individuals through each stage of treatment and can be a vital resource to reach out to during the holidays.
Challenges to Addiction Recovery During The Holidays
The holidays can be stressful for anyone with extra shopping, hosting, and traveling. For those facing addiction recovery during the holidays, there can be additional hardships that put their sobriety at greater risk. During treatment, patients learn their triggers and identify healthy coping skills to deal with them effectively. However, people are likely to face new challenges during the holidays that they do not encounter in other parts of the year.
Some triggers that may come up during the holidays specifically are:
- Holidays parties with drinking
- Changes to your routine
- Stressful family dynamics and situations
- Traveling
- Extra financial stress because of gift buying
- Reminiscing about past holidays
- Traditions that involved substances, especially alcohol
Understanding what challenges await you during the holidays can help you prepare and establish a healthy mindset. Everyone’s experiences with addiction recovery during the holidays will be unique, but there are some common triggers they may face. While the holidays can be extra stressful and create additional anxieties, with the right preparation, they can still be a time to celebrate and spend time with the people you love.
Tips For The Holidays And Addiction Recovery
The winter months and holiday seasons can be difficult for individuals battling depression and other mental health conditions. The shorter days and colder weather can dampen a person’s mood. With the holidays on top of that, it is critical to take care of your physical and mental health during this time. Relapse is common during the holiday season, but there are ways to prevent it from happening.
What you can do to prepare for the holidays and addiction recovery:
- Focus on yourself and practice self-care
- Create a plan in case you are put in testing situations, such as having a prepared response
- Identify good, healthy activities that support your recovery
- Look for ways to help and serve others
- Know what your triggers are so you can avoid them and cope
- Attend extra AA or therapy sessions, especially before a big gathering or event
- Start a new sober holiday tradition
If you are worried about the holidays and addiction recovery, you are not alone. There are millions around the country sharing your struggles, and there are resources available to help you during this time. You can reach out to sober friends and peers to talk about your worries and learn how others cope with these seasonal challenges. Our staff at Evoke Wellness Ohio can also serve as a vital resource to those who need help or advice to maintain addiction recovery during the holidays.
Learn About Our Ohio Addiction Treatment Center at Evoke Wellness Ohio
The holidays can present new struggles for your addiction recovery, whether you are newly sober or have been in recovery for many years. If you or someone you know is having a hard time with their addiction recovery during the holidays, contact Evoke Wellness Ohio at 866.430.9267 or via our online form.
