Recovery and the Holidays

For the person in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, the holidays can trigger old behaviors and emotions.

It doesn’t help that many holidays in the United States are associated with three things: family, food and booze.

In the summer, there are Fourth of July cookouts and family reunions. In the fall, there are Harvest Festivals and Octoberfests.  The spring is a time to celebrate our parents on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. So, we tend to take them out to fancy dinners and drink to being born. Finally, we give thanks around the family dinner table and toast to the New Year in the winter.

The holidays are about togetherness, and that means seeing old friends, family members, and being in old places, too. All of these are triggers that are warned against in treatment and 12-step programs.

Yet, avoiding these people and places may also mean loneliness and depression, which  can trigger the desire to use again, as well.

The key to dealing with the holidays during your drug and or alcohol recovery is to have a plan. No matter what your situation, there are some things you can do to ease the pressure and stay on the road toward recovery.  Here are some tips that will help you cope:

• Put yourself first: You may feel like you’d be letting friends or family down if you don’t show up to a function. But if you know that you are putting your sobriety in danger by attending, you have to consider that if they know it or not, your loved ones need to see you sober more than they need to see you at a party. If they’re upset that they don’t get to see you, arrange another time to see them one on one.

• Stay close to your sponsor: Some people travel during the holidays, and while you may not be camping out on your sponsor’s couch or even in the same city, plan on having regular, scheduled conversations. If you don’t have a sponsor, find someone else in recovery and plan to have regular support calls with them.. Also, set up a special code for emergency situation so that if you are around other people and you need to talk, you can let them know.

• Share: Your gift to yourself this year is that you are healthy and safe. Because of that gift, you are able to share your own experience with other people who are also feeling scared, lonely and anxious about the season. When you share your story with others, you are helping them understand that they are not alone. That realization goes a long way this time of year.

• Find Your Local Alano or Similar Center: Communities will often have centers or places to go during the holidays with parties, dinners, dances and events free of drugs or alcohol. If you are traveling, look up listings for meeting in the towns you are visiting. Even if you think you are only going to be there for one day, you may find that to be just the day that you need a meeting.

• Should a relapse happen: Don’t fall into defeated thinking. If you used or drank, it doesn’t mean you have failed. Remember that you have worked very hard to get where you are and you can do it again. Reach out for help so you can get back on the road to recovery.

If you need additional help finding resources and support in your area, you can use  Narcotics Anonymous meeting finder or Alcoholics Anonymous

Do you have tips for staying sober during the holidays? Do you need to find some support from others in the community? Share your ideas and join us on our forum.