How Family Holidays Can Impact Recovery and Create Opportunities for Change

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. You may want to attend https://ecosoberhouse.com/ your own meeting to stay connected with other families with similar experiences.

• The holiday season is known to bring about various emotional triggers pertaining to the areas of substance abuse and trauma.
• Even if being without your family is a choice made for your well-being, spending the holidays without family can still be difficult.
• Here are some key insights and actionable tips from our discussion to help make this holiday season into meaningful and sober celebrations.
• I work with many clients who struggle with people-pleasing, and the thought of disappointing others can be distressing.
• Whether this is the first holiday with a loved one in recovery, or one of many holidays shared in recovery, the best celebration for all will come with mindful planning to meet multiple needs.

The Veterans “Muscle Memory” Tools

• To keep your recovery journey on track, seek out support services as needed during this at times stressful season.
• The Change Plan Worksheet is an excellent tool to use when preparing for any holiday events or family gatherings that you will be attending over the next few weeks.
• Recovery.com combines independent research with expert guidance on addiction and mental health treatment.

Holiday routine changes drug addiction can challenge our skills of self-regulation and disrupt recovery support systems like attending meetings and treatment. Staying connected to sober routines can help manage these adjustments, and those in early recovery in particular may need that added structure to help them stay balanced and lower risk of relapse. Holiday expectations may be significantly affected during the pandemic and create a sense of loss. The increased presence of alcohol, parties, and memories of family in combination with missing the holiday routine can increase risk of relapse. Finding creative ways to keep family routines intact or socially distant may help all family members maintain self-care and a sense of attachment to others.

Ask about substances ahead of time.

You should never assume that credits will transfer to or from any educational institution. For more ideas on dealing with difficult situations in recovery, check out a meeting near you or online. December is here and opportunities for urges and cravings reframing holidays in early recovery seem to be everywhere. SMART volunteers have put their heads together to offer some suggestions to help you navigate this month’s challenges.

Families develop their own dysfunctional coping mechanisms when a family member struggles with addiction. They may:

Addiction during the holiday season can be particularly challenging, but it’s important to remember that recovery is possible. Make them feel included in plans and if you know they are struggling, suggest they attend a meeting or call a sponsor. The healing power of relationships, trust, love and connection is one of the most important tools for families. Damage to trust reframing holidays in early recovery and connection is often at the root of traumatic events that lead to disruptions in the brain’s ability to self-regulate physiologically and emotionally. Trauma can be the loss of connection to one’s self as well as well as the loss of critical psychological connectedness between humans.

Have a plan for saying “no” to offers of drugs or alcohol, especially when people ask why you aren’t partaking or are pressuring you. Spend time with sober friends instead, or create a new tradition like volunteering at a soup kitchen. Consider an exit strategy or a safety plan if alcohol is being served or if you feel anxious at these events.

• Perhaps journal about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences so you can review them in planning ahead for the next year.
• This may be true even if you are surrounded by friends, neighbors, coworkers, or other people.
• Practice saying “No, thank you” with confidence—remember, “No” is a complete sentence.
• After the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season is over, it’s common to feel sad, disappointed, or a bit down.
• In other words, it is vital for individuals to create a framework that identifies guidelines and expectations that they can use to protect their sobriety.