Getting through the holidays in early addiction recovery: Be patient, talk to someone you trust, and set yourself up for success By Daniel Wittler on Nov 26, 2019 with 1 Comment This time of year is exciting and special for many, as families come together to celebrate the holidays. However, it isn’t exciting for all.
Full Answer
How to manage addiction during the holidays?
Things to do:
- Take a sober friend with you if possible
- Ask what the alternative drinks will be; do you need to bring your own beverage?
- Go in with an inward attitude of pride in not drinking (not outwardly obnoxious)
- Have an exit strategy if you get too uncomfortable (e.g., fake emergency or engagement)
How to support addict during the holidays?
How to support a recovering addict during the holiday season ... There are various ways you can help someone who is currently in treatment or recovering during the holidays. Education on Addiction One of the first steps in educating yourself on supporting someone in recovery treatment during the holidays is by learning about addiction. Contrary ...
How can an addict stay healthy during recovery?
Try these methods of building a great evening routine:
- Disconnect from devices at least an hour before bed
- Refrain from eating after 7 p.m. if possible
- Use essential oils to enhance your relaxation
- Meditate or journal if you are overly stressed
- Buy blackout curtains or an eye mask to support easy rest
What does it take to recover from addiction?
Taking good care of your body and mind can go a long way towards recovery. This means maintaining a healthy weight, getting occasional exercise, having regular checkups, quitting smoking, and cutting back or abstaining from alcohol. 5. Manage your emotions This may be the hardest item on the list.
Why are the holidays hard for addicts?
The holidays are often associated with indulgence and extravagance. There's a mindset surrounding excess — excessive gifts, food, and drink. More drinking or drug use around the holidays can lead to problems for those with substance use disorders (and even those without).
How do you get through the holidays in recovery?
Tips for Avoiding Holiday RelapseKeep it simple: “I'm not drinking tonight” or “I have to get an early start to my day tomorrow.”Don't say a word: Keep a non-alcoholic drink with you during the party. ... Say yes: “I would love a drink! ... Try humor: Remember, you don't need to announce your sobriety unless you want to.
What are some triggers that can affect a recovering addict?
Stress. Stress is the top cause of relapse. ... People or Places Connected to the Addictive Behavior. ... Negative or Challenging Emotions. ... Seeing or Sensing the Object of Your Addiction. ... Times of Celebration.
How long does it take a person to overcome their addiction?
A TIME article gives scientific evidence that it takes approximately 90 days for “the brain to reset itself and shake off the immediate influence of a drug.” Researchers from Yale University found a gradual re-engaging of proper decision making and analytical functions in the brain's prefrontal cortex after an addict ...
How do you stay sober for Christmas?
Staying sober this Christmas seasonMindset is everything. Don't get into a negative mindset as if you are missing out. ... Support is a must. Create a supportive circle around you and get people on your side. ... Socialise carefully, especially in early recovery. ... Be kind to yourself and your loved ones.
How do you protect your recovery?
Your recovery needs to be your number one priority, especially just after you complete treatment....Early Recovery Requires Focus and DedicationGoing to a daily 12-step meeting.Seeing a therapist.Speaking to a sponsor or sober support.Engaging in a sober activity you enjoy.Exercising.Healthy eating.Self-care.
When is relapse most likely to occur?
An article in Psychology Today cites studies that show most relapses happen within the first 90 days of abstinence, which is why attending a rehab program lasting at least 3 months may be most beneficial.
What is the best way to prevent relapse?
The top 10 relapse prevention skills include:Self-Care. Common post-acute withdrawal symptoms when recovering from addiction include insomnia and fatigue. ... HALT. ... Mindfulness Meditation. ... Know Your Triggers. ... Join a Support Group. ... Grounding Techniques. ... Deep Breathing. ... Make An Emergency Contact List.More items...•
How do you not let a trigger affect you?
Here are the steps on how you can recognize your own triggers:You Should Pay Attention to Your Mind and Body. ... You Should Step Back and Think. ... Determine the Cause of the Intense Emotions. ... Be Curious. ... Acknowledge Your Feelings. ... You Deserve Some Space. ... Be Open-Minded. ... If You Feel Negative Emotions, Practice Positive Actions.More items...•
How do you overcome an addiction to someone?
The first step in recovery is to face the truth. Identify your toxic person as the “drug” of sorts you are addicted to. Before you can break any addiction, you need to own the reality you have one. Acknowledgment is the beginning of your journey toward recovery.
How does addiction affect the brain?
After repeated drug use, the brain starts to adjust to the surges of dopamine. Neurons may begin to reduce the number of dopamine receptors or simply make less dopamine. The result is less dopamine signaling in the brain—like turning down the volume on the dopamine signal.
How long does it take to break an addiction to social media?
But, it's best to commit to your routine and try not to break it (even if it's just "no social media after 9 p.m.") for at least three to four weeks, according to Jones. "From a behavioral point of view, doing something for three weeks or at least 21 days will allow you to form a new habit.
Who created Arizona addiction recovery centers?
Content for Arizona Addiction Recovery Centers created by Cohn Media, LLC. Passionate and creative writing and broadcasting, covering addiction rehab, health care, entertainment, technology and restaurants. Advocate of clear communication, positivity and humanity. www.cohn.media
What to say when someone offers you a drink?
When someone offers you a drink, just say no. Throughout the day, you may find the same person persists or many different people will ask you if you want a drink. They may joke with you, insist and ask you why not. Please remember that no is a complete answer and you don’t owe anyone an explanation. It’s as much your prerogative to not drink as it is for them to choose to drink.
Coping mechanisms for the holidays when your child is in recovery
Bring a sober friend. My daughter brought along a friend who was also new to recovery. They spent as much time apart from the chaos as they needed and engaged with the family when they were comfortable.
Making forward progress as a family
Thanksgiving 2018 was less tense than 2017. We all felt like we really had something to be thankful for apart from the obvious: Recovery. The family had more earnest conversations, engaged in more activities (watching TV, shopping, going out to eat), and generally relaxed more. We openly talked about my daughter’s progress.
What I learned as a parent to survive the holidays
So, how did I survive these past three years? 2017 is still pretty much a blur. In 2018, I started practicing self-care on a regular basis. I began seeing a counselor (which was immensely helpful), started saying no when I was feeling overwhelmed, and stopped trying to fix not only my daughter, but her relationships with other family members.
Plan, Plan, Plan
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.
Motivation and Commitment
Updating and/or reviewing your personal Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) Worksheet and your personal Hierarchy of Values (HOV) Worksheet can serve to remind you of why this plan is important and what you’re trying to accomplish.
Urge Coping
The holidays are prime-time for urges. This is a good time to re-familiarize yourself with your favorite urge-busting tools. Check your handbook or the online toolbox and begin actively practicing these tools before you need them, to strengthen your urge-busting muscles.
Summary
Being prepared for the holiday events this month can bolster your sense of self-efficacy during the recovery process and help you begin the process of re-learning to trust yourself.
Why do people relapse on holidays?
Stress – Stress is one of the most well understood and studied addiction triggers, and is one of the most common causes of relapse, over the holidays and during everyday life. Stress can arise from almost every holiday expectation, from having to prepare food, to traveling, to having people in your home, or being in someone else’s home.
Why are holidays so difficult?
This can make the holidays more difficult because we are in an environment that reminds of us our addiction.
What is an addiction trigger?
An addiction trigger is any stimulus that triggers a reaction or craving that will eventually prompt you to slip up, give in, and take more of the substance you were previously addicted to. Triggers can be emotional, environmental, and social, and can be obvious, such as places where you used to hang out or people using ...
How many people relapse within a year?
Unfortunately, relapse is common, and an average of 40-60% of people relapse within 1 year, and 15% within 5 years of getting clean. If you want to be among the percentage that succeed, you have to ensure that you understand what you are up against. Learning how to manage your addiction triggers allows you to recognize and fight them ...
Why is anger a common addiction?
Unfortunately, anger is an extremely common addiction trigger because it makes you upset, can cause unhappy emotions such as guilt or irritation, and can leave you looking for something to make you feel better.
Can holidays trigger addiction?
Unfortunately for many of us, the holidays are full of these triggers, and can kick off almost every type of addiction trigger depending on how you spend your holidays, your relationship with friends and family, and your emotions over the holidays.
Can you live with your sister while addicted to pain medication?
While this can be as extreme as spending time with friends with whom you used to drink or get high, it can be as subtle as having lived with your sister while addicted to pain medication . Certain people will trigger memories that will make you think of your addiction, and will usually make you crave that addiction.
How to deal with loneliness?
Combat loneliness by keeping yourself busy – Don’t let yourself get too lonely, which may lead you to accepting invitations that you might otherwise decline. Volunteer, get involved with your church, pick up extra hours at work, or increase your social activities with sober friends.
How to get your own drink?
Get your own drinks at parties – If you get your own drink, there is no need to politely drink alcoholic drink that someone innocently brought you. Carry your cup around – Pick a favorite non-alcoholic beverage, put it in a party cup, and carry the drink around with you.
Is holiday season lonely?
For a person who is committed to their successful recovery, the holiday season does not need to be lonely or overly-stressful, regardless of your own personal situation.
Can recovering alcoholics surround themselves?
During the rest of the year, it can be pretty easy for a recovering alcoholic to surround themselves with other sober people. In their everyday lives, they can set boundaries –. Where They Go – they avoid bars, nightclubs, and alcohol-fueled parties.
Why Are The Holidays So Difficult For Addicts?
Obviously, as just mentioned, the pressures of the holidays are difficult for everyone. But for addicts, these same issues of money, family and general stress are amplified, often because they are the same age-old issues that lie at the root of the addiction and the beginning of drug use and abuse in the first place.
What Are Some Strategies For Surviving The Holidays?
First and foremost, one must be prepared.
Should I Use New Years To Confront My Addiction?
Most everyone is familiar with the New Year's Resolution as a method of planning major life changes. Of course, most everyone is also familiar with the limited success rate of these resolutions, and of the effectiveness of "going cold turkey" in general.