Our mission is to help everyone find the best path to recovery through the most comprehensive, helpful network of treatment providers worldwide. Staying sober during the holidays is entirely possible with the right preparation, mindset, and support. By implementing these strategies, you can not only survive the holiday season but thrive in it, creating meaningful experiences and memories. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone – Cedar Recovery is here to support you every step of the way. A positive mindset can help you navigate the holiday season with resilience and grace.

What Are Common Triggers People Encounter During Their First Holiday in Recovery?

People in recovery may miss support group meetings, neglect self-care practices, and lack the proper amount of sleep they need to maintain their physical and mental health. Maintaining as much of the normal routine as possible is ideal, such as meditating for 10 minutes each day, exercising regularly, and going to sleep at a consistent time every night. At Longbranch Recovery, we understand the unique challenges of the holiday season and are here to help you every step of the way.

Talk these things through with your parents or immediate family

To get started on your recovery journey, contact a treatment provider to learn more about your options. The holidays are a cheerful and lovely time of the year to spend time with friends and family. But, for those in early addiction recovery, reframing holidays in early recovery the holidays come loaded with urges, cravings, and triggers that can make the festivities less than enjoyable. As you’re preparing for holiday challenges in early recovery, we hope these tips give you the guidance you need to remain sober. Depression is a common problem for people in recovery, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can make anyone feel hopeless or blue.

Addiction is a Family Disease: Meaning, symptoms, and breaking the cycle

Preparation is key to navigating these stressors successfully. With intentional planning and a strong support system, it’s possible to enjoy the holidays while safeguarding one’s recovery. Every late-November through December we are encouraged—sometimes even pressured, directly and indirectly—to celebrate the holidays that https://jawaheralkwit.com/archives/81324 mark each year’s conclusion. Holiday events may center around drinking or other substance use, making it difficult to avoid temptation. Family members, friends, and colleagues may unknowingly encourage you to drink or use substances, sometimes even questioning your decision to abstain.

Understanding Additional Triggers During the Holidays

At Asana, we offer effective, insurance-covered treatment for addiction and mental health, guided by experts who understand because they’ve been there. A study on relapse prevention highlights that poor self-care is a common precursor to emotional relapse. Use the acronym HALT—hungry, angry, lonely, tired—to check in with yourself regularly. Recognize when you’re neglecting your emotional, physical, or psychological well-being, and take steps to address those needs. In the beginning, I had assumed that recovery would be boring.

Avoid High-Risk Situations and Triggers

A trigger can be visual, such as watching someone drink alcohol. Triggers can also be completely independent of substance use, such as experiencing relational conflict with a partner. However, one thing that all triggers have in common is that they trigger emotional distress, which can lead to an emotional relapse. Summer’s relaxed nature can interfere with the routines that are important for reaching your recovery goals. It’s important to establish a summer routine that includes regular sleep, exercise, and recovery activities. You should also stay connected with supportive family and friends to avoid isolation.

• Additionally, social support can help individuals feel less alone in their sobriety journey, especially for those without family support.
• If you’ve had a slip, or have relapsed over the holidays, be kind to yourself.
• There are a million different ways to give back, pay it forward and be of service, and each opportunity guides you further away from resentment, self-pity and fear.

A. Blink – when we are stressed or feeling threatened in some way, we can get tunnel vision. Our eyes may get big (be cause our survival system wants to make sure we can see any marijuana addiction threat that may come ourway) and we may forget to blink. Blinking or just shifting in your chair can remind you that you are o.k. It can break the trance and get you unstuck from feeling like you’re trapped, you’re in danger, or you can’t take care of yourself.

myths about using Suboxone to treat opioid addiction

I know, I know… it’s hard to make yourself call or text people through the holidays. After all, aren’t they trying to celebrate with their family and loved ones? Who are you to interrupt their celebration with your problems? These are the things that our shame and addiction tell us and keep us from getting the support we need to stay sober. Just remember, in our addiction we often didn’t care who we bothered or what day it was. Be willing to go to any lengths for your sobriety so you don’t have to go back to your addiction.