We are heading into a time of year that is a great source of joy to many people—and very challenging for other people. The holiday season, even for those who truly enjoy it, can be filled with stress as folks rush around to find the perfect gifts, the ideal food for holiday meals, and more.
A person in recovery from a substance use disorder could find themselves dreading the holidays rather than looking forward to them. That is because Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and other holidays celebrated this time of year can include some pitfalls that can threaten your recovery efforts.
If you are a person in recovery, it is vitally important that you think through the holidays and develop a plan for dealing with various situations that may arise. Having strategies for dealing with difficult moments can give you the confidence you need to enjoy the holidays.
Be Prepared to Exit Rather Than to Argue
The holidays tend to involve large family gatherings—and those gatherings often involve conflict of one kind or another. Common areas for disagreement include politics as well as past slights, whether real or perceived. The atmosphere can get pretty heated, turning a celebration into a significant conflict. Letting yourself get dragged into the fray is not the best move for your recovery.
Your recovery might also become a topic of conversation during the holidays. Some folks are likely just curious about how things are going, but others might take the opportunity of a big gathering to bombard you with their opinions about substance use disorders and their treatment. As often as not (maybe more often than not), those opinions will be wrong. You might find yourself bombarded by ideas of character, faith, and willpower that reveal that the speaker does not understand the true nature of substance use disorders.
Finally, there may be people at these large holiday gatherings who may be in the grips of a substance use disorder. Spending time in their presence could prove problematic to you as you work to keep your recovery intact.
Sometimes, you might be able to navigate any or all of those situations without too much trouble. But we would suggest that you would be well served by having a plan to make a hasty but polite exit if the need arises. Committing to removing yourself from situations that do not support your recovery is a way to prioritize your well-being.
Do Not Overspend on Gifts
While giving gifts can be a joy, spending beyond your means can lead to financial issues that can leave you feeling stressed out. Your recovery will be better served if you commit to giving heartfelt gifts rather than expensive presents you can’t really afford. Money problems can remain an issue long after the holidays are over. More judicious spending keeps that from happening, reducing your stress levels and firming up the foundations of your recovery. Sticking to a budget is always a good idea.
Let Go of Traditions That Do Not Serve You
Maybe you have been in the habit of attending boozy New Year’s Eve parties each year. Maybe your family likes to spike the eggnog on Christmas Eve. Maybe a given family tradition tends to make you feel sad rather than joyful. In cases like these, it can be a good idea to step away from a tradition.
Traditions do tend to have a gravity of their own, so you will want to think things through in advance and consider how you will kindly but firmly tell others that you are opting out of something they might think of as a key part of the holidays. Meanwhile, consider creating new traditions that do, in fact, bring joy while supporting your ongoing efforts to leave drugs or alcohol in the past.
Go Easy on the Sugar
Holiday treats can be scrumptious, of course. But they also tend to be high in sugar—a substance that can replicate, to some extent, the “highs” of substance use. Being mindful of your sugar intake can help ensure that the sweet stuff does not pave a path back toward drugs or alcohol use.
You do not have to deny yourself any treats at all. Just be aware of what you are eating—and how much–so that the sweets do not turn sour by upending your recovery.
It Is Always Time to Celebrate at Bel Aire Recovery Center
Our work at Bel Aire Recovery Center is always a cause of joy. That is because we help individuals reclaim their lives—and their futures—from the terrible impacts of drug or alcohol use. Each person we serve is another opportunity to support someone as they make a transformative change in their life. Our commitment to this work has earned us recognition as one of the best substance use disorder treatment centers in the nation.
Located near Wichita, Kansas, Bel Aire Recovery Center relies on evidence-based treatment approaches as we see you through a program that starts with medically supervised detoxification. Detox is followed by a rehabilitation program that can address co-occurring mental health disorders while also providing resources and strategies for the launch of your recovery journey. And our alumni program keeps you connected to peers who understand your struggles and joys.
