19 Tips for Preventing Relapse during the Holidays

                                                                    Sarah Lawrence for Vox.com 

Originally published on Medium.com, December 26, 2020

The holidays are usually considered fun and joyous occasions but for some individuals in recovery, they are often a struggle.

Why?

Because maintaining sobriety is not easy and during the holidays it can be even more difficult since alcohol and drugs are commonplace at some holiday gatherings.

According to writer Buddy T, “The holiday season is meant to be a joyous occasion that brings family and friends together. But even in the midst of all the holiday excitement, there are often moments of stress and anxiety. If you are recovering from alcohol addiction, this broad spectrum of holiday emotions can challenge even your best intentions for recovery.”

As a therapist and up until a year ago, I primarily worked with adults diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder, both a mental health and substance use disorder. I vividly remember many of the clients vocalizing the increase of their anxiety symptoms and their trepidation of relapsing during the holidays. I have also witnessed how being in recovery and maintaining sobriety during the holidays is often frightening and a struggle for many individuals in recovery.

Therefore, below are 19 tips not in any particular order, to help individuals in recovery maintain their sobriety through the holidays:

1. Do not overcommit and overwhelm yourself.
2. Make self-care a priority and relax, pray, engage in mindfulness, and get some good rest.
3. Monitor your thoughts and embrace positive thinking to improve your mood.
4. Eat healthy as possible.
5. Set clear boundaries.
6. Focus on your blessings and not your struggles.
7. Avoid isolation by staying in constant communication with friends and family.
8. Use healthy coping skills (journaling, listening to music, engaging in an artistic activity, exercise, reading a good book etc.) to manage stressors.
9. Increase your support by attending additional 12-step meetings or begin for the first time. Increase sessions with a therapist or if not seeking therapy make it a priority to do so during the holidays.
10. Stay in constant contact with your sponsor if you have one and if you don’t think about securing one during the holidays.
11. Watch an uplifting movie or comedy.
12. Be of service to others.
13. Develop a sober escape plan for all holiday events.
14. Be okay with saying “no” and not feeling obligated to attend holiday events and if you do inform those in attendance that you no longer drink alcohol or use drugs.
15. Limit the time you spend at holiday gatherings.
16. Have self-compassion if you find yourself struggling.
17. Continue to stay active in your recovery.
18. Commend yourself for the progress you have made on your recovery journey.
19. Remind yourself of the benefits you have received by maintaining your sobriety.

Although it is not easy to remain sober during the holidays, remember that anything worth having requires a lot of hard work, and sobriety is no different.

If you have any additional tips that can help maintain sobriety during the holidays, please leave them in the comments.

Happy Holidays!