Another aspect of an effective relapse prevention plan for the holidays acknowledges an individual’s engagement in continuing treatment. Individuals in early recovery are likely https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/reframing-holidays-in-early-recovery/ involved with an intensive treatment program. However, some facilities may offer reduced sessions or reduced time spent at the facility throughout the holiday season.
We have over 2,000 providers across the US ready to help you in person or online. We are dedicated to providing you with valuable resources that educate and empower you to live better. First, our content is authored by the experts — our editorial team co-writes our content with mental health professionals at Thriveworks, including therapists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and more. Thankfully I was in a good place mentally, which allowed me to stay calm and avoid getting angry with her or screaming at her that I deserved to come home. At the time, I didn’t deserve anything except for another sober day.
Find Support
The ghosts of Christmas and holidays past may also haunt those in early sobriety and bring their substance use and “good ol’ days” to the forefront of their minds. Those with SUDs also have a far greater chance, statistically, of having first-degree relatives with addiction issues. So although this time of year can bring families together, substance use may also be part of the fabric of a family culture during celebratory events. Those showing up to social events sober can unintentionally hold a mirror up to those around them and lead to resistance and judgment.
Every late-November through December we are encouraged—sometimes even pressured, directly and indirectly—to celebrate the holidays that mark each year’s conclusion. Responses to the holidays are as varied as the number of individuals who experience them. Some face grief and loneliness more acutely this time of year, while others experience more joy and peace.
The Importance of Good Nutrition in Addiction Recovery
Contact us today to learn more about how our multidisciplinary staff and evidence-based treatment approaches can help with your situation. When people notice your sobriety, they will probably comment on it or ask questions, so it is important to decide what you will say ahead of time. Thinking about how you will handle the tempting situations you will encounter over the holidays will help you make a plan that will allow you to navigate https://ecosoberhouse.com/ them successfully. Putting too much emphasis on the importance of the holidays will cause stress and may lead you to make poor decisions. The best course of action is to treat the holidays as just another day in recovery and continue to do the healthy things you have been doing to stay sober. It will also help to speak with your therapist or counselor about what triggers you have and what you should do when things become overwhelming.
Social networking during treatment and recovery is valuable because social support helps to prevent relapse. Additionally, social support can help individuals feel less alone in their sobriety journey, especially for those without family support. For individuals in recovery, it is not enough to enter the holiday season without having any preparations in place for staying sober.
Remember that staying home is an option.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has also affected millions of people throughout the country, damaging mental health and causing isolation, financial strain and uncertainty. People struggling with addiction often feel much regret in their past actions. Drug addiction recovery and recovery from alcoholism can be difficult, so be sure you remember to take pride in your perseverance to stay clean, to turn your life around. Positive thoughts and positive self-esteem can help you get through the difficult moments during your recovery. Leading up to my first sober holiday season since my struggle with addiction, I was living in South Florida, (away from my family in New Jersey) and I was about 6 months sober.
Here at BTG we talk about the importance of eating good sources of protein for our neurotransmitter health or mood repairing and stabilizing forces. It can be tempting during the holiday to eat a bunch of junk food but it will do nothing for your mood or your cravings. Doing things like skipping a meal, or not including protein can lower your resilience or the ability for you to handle what life is throwing at you. It is most important to find the right balance for your individual needs during the holiday season.
