Key Tips for Holiday Relapse Prevention
Legacy Healing Center Blog
The holidays are a beloved yet an infamous time of the year. Festivities are plentiful, with family get-togethers and parties taking place weeks before the actual holidays are celebrated. Others may sadly not have a place to go, fueling feelings of isolation more than any other time of the year. Either scenario can sadly be a trigger for those in addiction recovery. Legacy Healing Center Cherry Hill is going over our favorite tips for holiday relapse prevention.
How to Avoid Relapse During the Holidays
Prioritizing sobriety is extremely admirable and something we focus on promoting at our facilities. Get-togethers can be unpredictable, making it seem risky to join in the festivities for fear of losing control. While it is valid and understandable to experience hesitation, we would never want you to keep yourself from being with those you care about. In addition, isolating oneself can lead to upsetting feelings, and these feelings can lead a person to drink or self-medicate the pain away.
Below are effective steps to consider when crafting a holiday relapse prevention plan to ensure you can get as much joy as possible out of the most wonderful time of the year.
Prioritize Self-Care
While this time may seem mostly about gifts and generosity, giving too much of yourself can quickly lead to burnout. Prioritize self-care by taking the time to focus on eating a good meal, getting enough sleep, and doing things you enjoy. Doing these things will put you in a far more stable state of mind.
Consider Possible Triggers
It may not just be the presence of alcohol that can lead a person to make a bad choice. Sometimes, certain places or individuals can be triggers. If you know that you will be in a situation that might make you uncomfortable, try to set a time limit for your participation. Also, check to see if you can bring a plus one or friend that will be able to help you stay grounded and accountable.
Seek Out Support
A big pointer for avoiding relapse during the holidays is relying on a strong support system. These people understand the weight of sobriety and how damaging a relapse could be. You might be in a situation where you cannot bring an additional person. If this happens, confirm that you can electronically reach someone on your support team if you have the urge to drink or use drugs. Attempting to rely solely on yourself is unnecessary and can end badly in many cases.
Plan Ahead
Understandably, not everyone will be aware of your sobriety or struggles with addiction. That being said, be prepared to answer questions if the situation arises. Try writing down what you may want to say, and practice it in the mirror or with someone you trust. If you are uncomfortable telling certain people that you are in recovery, try coming up with an alternative answer to give if you are offered a drink.
Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
Boundaries are important no matter what. If you are faced with a situation that makes you uncomfortable, you are fully entitled to advocate for yourself and your needs. Don’t allow peer pressure or fear of judgment to influence the work you have devoted to your recovery. If someone is not respecting your boundaries, be as clear as possible. If necessary, take a step outside and call someone that you trust.
Our Cherry Hill Rehab Wants to Wish You a Happy Holiday
If you are in recovery and are home for the holidays, the staff at Legacy Healing hopes that this time of year is filled with joy, love, and laughter. The lessons that you learn while in treatment are ones that should be kept with you at all times. These are just some of the ways to prepare yourself so that you can make the most of it.
If you do suffer from a relapse, understand that it is often a part of the recovery process. If this happens, we get back up, dust ourselves off, and move forward. Our Cherry Hill detox is equipped to help you overcome any resulting withdrawal symptoms. After this, options like our IOP in New Jersey will help you reevaluate your situation and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
To speak with an intake specialist in the case of relapse or addiction, call Legacy Healing Center in New Jersey at 856-263-4965.
Related Reading