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.Mar 1, 2021
How do you stay clean during the holidays?
12 Tips to Staying Clean and Sober during the HolidaysPlan Ahead. ... Make Self Care a Priority. ... Increase Support. ... Be mindful of time spent around your relatives – know your limits. ... Have your props ready. ... Celebrate relationships. ... Eat well. ... Service, not self.More items...
How do you stay sober for Christmas?
Plan aheadLet people know in advance that you won't be drinking.Bring a sober friend along to support you.Plan how you'll say 'no' to a drink.Have an 'exit strategy' for if you start to find things difficult.Get some extra support in advance from any group or service you're using to help manage your drinking.Dec 16, 2019
Why are 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).Dec 18, 2020
How to celebrate sober holiday?
Others in early recovery may be out of treatment but new to the concept of sober holiday celebration and what that can look like. Here are some tips for embracing the joy of this time of year while sober: 1 “Schedule regular ‘breath stops.’” That’s the recommendation of an article in Forbes magazine. Whenever you’re feeling hassled or stressed out by the end-of-year rush, press the pause button by taking a few deep breaths and recalibrating your emotions. Or, as you breathe, focus your mind on a time when you felt really connected to someone else. Those feelings you experienced—love, joy, peace—are what make for true celebration. Taking time to savor these moments will ensure you have more of them over the holidays. 2 Join in a sober holiday event with your local recovery group. Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step or other recovery support groups often schedule fun or recreational events at this time of year. Get involved. 3 Do what you can to prevent cravings by taking care of yourself. The acronyms “HALT” and “TAMERS” can help you remember how to do that. “HALT” stands for the four inner states that can trigger cravings: “Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.” These feelings can be a cue to take care of your needs: for example, if you’re hungry, eat something; if you’re angry, get some vigorous exercise; if you’re lonely, call a friend in recovery or do something kind for someone else; if you’re tired, catch up on sleep.
What does "halt" mean in the dictionary?
“HALT” stands for the four inner states that can trigger cravings: “Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.”.
Focus on Togetherness During the Holidays
First, let’s talk about food, or, more accurately, why we shouldn’t talk about food.
Be Where You Are in Recovery
As previously mentioned, your holiday experience is all about being with your loved ones, but, you will still need to eat. There will come a holiday when you can indulge in all of the festive treats your heart desires.
Re-Vamp Old Traditions
The whole point of a tradition is that it’s the same each time you do it. This can make participating in holiday traditions in treatment hard because they are unlikely to elicit the same feelings as when you did them at home, surrounded by your decorations and loved ones.
Explore New Traditions
This holiday season can also be an opportunity for you to create your own traditions that promote recovery! Your treatment center may have some of their own for you to participate.
What do rehab facilities do for holidays?
Many rehab facilities emphasize the holidays and repairing relationships with family and friends. They do this through cards and letters to those who cannot come to visit as well as inviting all those that want to come for holiday get togethers with their loved ones.
Do inpatient rehab facilities have Christmas decorations?
Most inpatient treatment facilities have regular family visits but they go all out during the holidays. With the rehab decorated with a Christmas tree, stockings, handmade decorations, and presents many rehab facilities look almost like Christmas should.
What is the best gift for a substance abuser?
Sobriety is the best gift of all for substance abusers struggling with a use disorder. Spending time in rehabilitation is a gift to yourself, and it’s more important than any holiday celebration you could ever experience.
Is it worth spending time in rehab?
Spending time in rehabilitation over the holidays can be stressful, but making it through to the other side will be well worth the effort. These tips can help those in rehab to stay strong while missing Christmas or other holiday celebrations with loved ones.
Do rehab centers decorate for Christmas?
Spending the holiday away from home and your family may seem a little depressing at first, but this doesn’t mean that your Christmas or seasonal traditions will fall completely by the wayside. Rehabs aren’t completely joyless; most inpatient centers decorate for the holidays, creating a festive atmosphere for those living there. No one wants the holiday season to go by unnoticed, and that includes the doctors, nurses and other staff members who spend their days and nights supporting those in recovery.
1. Avoid triggers and harmful situations
People are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol during the months of November and December and they are also less likely to get help for their addiction. 1 Vehicle crashes on the interstate also increase by about 25 percent during the Thanksgiving week and the primary cause of fatalities in an increased use of alcohol.
2. Learn how to celebrate sober and prepare for next year
Celebrations are typically associated with the overconsumption of food, alcohol, and/or illicit drugs. Individuals in early recovery will have a much more difficult time resisting all the temptation that comes with the holiday season because they haven’t spent a significant amount of time sober yet.
4. Celebrate with others in recovery
The thought of spending your holidays in a rehab center without your family may make you feel lonely and isolated, but the opposite couldn’t be more true. At our alcohol and drug rehab center, you’ll be surrounded by friendly staff and people in recovery, just like you.
5. Spend the time reflecting
Spending the holidays in a rehab center is the perfect opportunity to reflect on past holidays, your behaviors, and focus on what you want to change. Maybe last Christmas wasn’t the best time for your family because you spend it binge drinking.