Holidays in Recovery
Jennifer Acker, M.A.
In theory the holiday season is full of joy, connection, and tradition. However, for those in recovery the Holidays can be triggering. For some, the holidays have been associated with over consumption of alcohol and drugs. The holidays can be stressful and isolating, leading to pessimism and unreasonable expectations. Here are some helpful tips to manage holiday stress in recovery:
- Priorities: Your sobriety comes first so be sure to prioritize your recovery activities such as 12-step meetings, therapy sessions, exercise, prayer, and meditation.
- Plan: Make plans ahead of time that support your recovery. Communicate these plans to others for accountability and support. Know your limits in social situations and plan your coming and going.
- Stay connected: Be sure to reach out to sober support like your sponsor. Sometimes family members are not the best support during the holidays because of their own history and stress.
- New Traditions: Do something new. The Holidays are steeped in tradition and unfortunately those traditions used to involve substances, and the association still exists in the brain. New Traditions shake up the brain and allow for new pathways and associations for form.
- Set Boundaries: Set boundaries with yourself and others ahead of time. Boundaries are proactive and help us to take care of ourselves. Boundaries are not about other people changing. They are about what we need and what we will do to keep our serenity.
- Bring a Friend: Bring a sober support person with you to events that at likely to have substances around and/or be triggering.
- Arrange Transportation: Arrange your own transportation so that you are not left stuck in a situation that is triggering relying on other people. You can leave when you need to and will know you are safe.
- Spirituality: Find ways to connect with your higher power so that you are not sitting around brooding and resentful. Try a new worship center, pray, listen to or play music, go for a walk in nature, or meditate. Find ways to connect with you higher power through the holiday season to remind yourself that there is something greater than myself and my current circumstances.