Managing the holidays can be stressful, good and bad. However, for a recovering addict the holiday season may be much more difficult to manage. There are many strategies that people in recovery can utilize to stay clean and sober during the busy holiday season. According to Social Work Today, the following are four very important strategies:
1. Prepare ahead of time. Recovering addicts should prepare a "recovery kit." This should include his/her sponsors contact information, daily meditation, and a list of support meeting available in the area they will be in. Also, the recovering addict should remember contact information from other support systems such as a best friend, mental health professional, or other family members.
2. Arrive early, leave early. At most holiday parties alcohol and drug use typically becomes more prevalent as the party continues, therefore addicts should consider arriving and leaving early. Don't worry the host or hostess will not be offended.
3. Bring beverages. Recovering alcoholics should bring their own beverages to holiday parties. This allows for the person in recovery to have control over what he/she drinks. This can be a life or death situation for recovering addicts.
4. Have an escape plan. If a situation arises at a family gathering that makes the recovering person feel uncomfortable and the temptation to use or relapse is present, then action needs to take place immediately. The recovering addicts sobriety is most important. It is the responsibility of the recovering addict to have control whether they will relapse during the holidays.
If you need assistance with this type of issue during this busy holiday season or any other type of concern, please feel free to contact one of our trained professional counselors at 954-800-0108.
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