They may say they do not need anything, and that is OK. You can also decline a request from your loved one if you don’t feel comfortable, “I love you, and I can’t do that” is a legitimate answer. Ideally the holiday plans you make meet the needs of everyone as much as possible. Getting creative and increasing healthy patterns of communication is way to show you love them. The stigma of addiction may have isolated family members from seeking help. Family members may be taking care of their loved one’s financial debt, unmet childcare needs, depression, and shock from legal involvement.
For Families: Supporting Your Loved One in Recovery
‘ Unveil the financial impact, drug pricing models, and the future of drug costs. Discover eight signs a loved one is suffering addiction to prescription painkillers and how to help them. Uncover reasons people become codependent, its effects, and ways to break free for a healthier life. Explore if addiction is genetic and how this knowledge can guide treatment and prevention strategies. Unveil the complex web of risk factors for addiction and learn how to break the cycle today. Discover the marijuana addiction truth behind the question, “is drinking a bottle of wine bad?” Unveiling the effects on health.
Get Back in Line and Set Yourself Up for Success
- When your emotions cloud your judgment, try to use mindfulness techniques to feel more centered and grounded.
- Consider celebrating a difficult holiday by marking something off your “bucket list,” doing some needed self-care or volunteering to help others.
- Because no matter how much we love our families and no matter how much they love us, having them too involved in the first stages of recovery can be a major distraction and very difficult to navigate.
- The holidays are busy, so sometimes it can be difficult to make time for daily meditation, journaling, AA meetings, exercising, and other things that keep you grounded in your recovery.
- A simple sparkling water with lime or cranberry juice can serve as your go-to drink.
- 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.
Having your peeps in place can keep you grounded during the holiday chaos. Over at Fresh Start of California, they highlight how planning and emotional prep go a long way when meeting those potential festive-curveballs. They may misunderstand you or forget that you don’t intend to drink alcohol.
The Benefits of Developing a Morning Routine in Sobriety
Consider celebrating a difficult holiday by marking something off your “bucket list,” doing some needed self-care or volunteering to help others. Thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, this year’s holiday season is likely to feel more “normal” than last year, with family gatherings, holiday parties, and many other traditional festivities making a cautious return. Discover strategies for staying sober during the holidays, embracing alcohol-free alternatives and self-care. Everything you’ve picked up during the recovery phases can be super helpful, especially during the holiday shuffle. Tell your trusted pals or family straight-up about why staying sober is crucial, so they know how to back you up. By being aware of these hurdles, you can lay down some solid plans to sail through the holidays without missing out on the good stuff.
Key Indicators of Quality Drug Rehab Centers
In this blog, we’ll explore practical strategies for maintaining recovery during the holidays, whether you’re newly in recovery or have years under your belt. From navigating tricky social situations to finding moments for self-care, The Council is here to help turn this season into one of strength, joy, and resilience in recovery. Feeling proud of staying sober and mentally gearing up can turn your holiday into a time of joy. Check out my story about a Christmas party relapse for tales and tips from someone who’s been there. It’s often tricky trying to stay sober when the festive season rolls around, especially for folks in recovery from addiction.
- Using self-comforting activities like diving into hobbies, taking walks in the park, or sticking with your support squad can ease these nagging emotions.
- Discover why some signs of addiction are puzzling and learn to recognize the complex behaviors behind them.
- Spotting stress or emotional stuff that’s bound to pop up during the holidays can let you deal with them ahead of time.
- Set aside dates for visiting family and friends, baking, shopping, and other holiday-related activities.
- Every month, 150,000 people search for addiction or mental health treatment on Recovery.com.
One of the most effective ways to cope with holiday stress is planning ahead. Set aside dates for visiting family and friends, baking, shopping, and other holiday-related activities. Making lists can help you remain organized and prevent the anxiety of last-minute scrambling. Part of maintaining an active and engaged sober lifestyle involves change. Assuming holidays or certain family traditions have reframing holidays in early recovery to be the way they have always been, can derail success. It’s okay to do something different, to change locations, to change who you celebrate with or the amount of time you spend at a specific event.
- Families have a dual purpose in helping their loved ones in their recovery to overcome shame, guilt, depression and disconnection, and in maintaining accountability and responsibility for their actions.
- Whether you’re worried about social gatherings, managing stress, combating loneliness, or maintaining your sobriety, you are not alone.
- Spend time with people who already know your struggle and can be there for you if the environment becomes a challenge to your sobriety or mental health.
- Recovery is about finding joy and connection without relying on substances—and Thanksgiving offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate how far you’ve come.
- I felt sorry for myself and isolated myself completely for a couple of days.