I wanted to discuss the upcoming holidays as it is typically a high risk time for people in recovery from substance use disorders. Plus let’s add a topping of Covid-19 stress, social distancing, mask wearing & isolation and guess what, it’s pretty much the perfect mix of a storm for relapse.
I wanted to give you a few ideas to help you reduce that risk. These tips will be for people staying home by themselves as well as those going out to visit family. Either way I’m sure the holidays are looking a little bit different than normal.
Staying Home by Yourself
- Watch one of your fav holiday movies with super buttery popcorn in your jammies with a pet. (I recommend Elf or Christmas Vacation)
- Go attend a 12 step meeting (most areas offer a 24 hour Alcathon’s which are AA meetings round the clock on Christmas Eve & Day as well as New Year’s Eve & Day)
- Remind yourself – YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There is an entire recovery community waiting to meet you. Look around social media they are there.
- If you do not want to go in person, check out a zoom AA or NA meeting or recovery podcast.
- Treat yourself to your fav holiday meal & big dessert
- Take a nap ,long bath, pedicure, etc.. (treat yourself to some nice self-care)
- Zoom/Facetime, text or call your friends or family (don’t have any- check out a 12 step meeting)
Holidays with Others
Can be tricky – hopefully you are spending the holidays with people that are supportive of your recovery but that does not happen all the time. So here’s what you can do if you find yourself around the unsupportive bunch on the holidays.
- Ignore the bad behaviors of others (LET IT GO) You will not change them today. So why let them ruin your day?
- Excuse yourself & take a walk outside if you find yourself getting upset
- Call/text a supportive friend or sponsor
- Check out a recovery app on your phone or look on IG for Recovery accounts (there are tons)
- Go check out a 12 step meeting (most areas offer a 24 hour Alcathon’s which are AA meetings round the clock on Christmas Eve & Day as well as New Year’s Eve & Day) YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
- Ignore the bad behaviors of others (so worth repeating) (Uncle So & So is being a jerk, let it go because guess what you are not going to change him today)
- Make an excuse & leave the event early
So here are a few tips to help you manage any risk for relapse over the upcoming holidays. If you need more help, consider scheduling your free 20 recovery strategy session