For some people continuing with their addiction recovery, the holidays can be a difficult time due to the amount of parties and alcohol involved. But, with a bit of preparation it can be easy to overcome the problems and keep your sobriety intact during this time.
If you have problems continuing with recovery through the holidays, follow these tips to prepare your sobriety strategy.
Depending on the time of the year, you can receive several invitations to parties and get togethers. This can include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, which are usually the most common of times when family and friends gather.
If you know you may put your sobriety in jeopardy, consider avoiding parties where heavy drinkers have been invited. These tend to include certain family members or friends who insist on getting drunk. By keeping your distance you’ll be able to continue your sober lifestyle and enjoy a gathering without having to worry about being forced to drink.
There are some invitations that you can’t discreetly back away from, such as toasts or rounds of drinks. If you are in this situation, don’t shy away from taking non-alcoholic drinks. Remember: What’s in your glass matters to no one else other than you.
Good recommendations for non-alcoholic drinks can include sparkling water, lemonade, tea, or simple water. Wherever possible, make sure to have a glass of clean drinking water ready in case a toast comes, or if someone offers you a drink. With this tip, you can accept almost any invitation and remain true to your recovery goals.
If there is a project you have been putting off, tackle it head-on. Invite your supportive friends for an intimate dinner at your home to enjoy a fun gathering without the worry of alcohol or drugs. Even going out to enjoy a concert, movie, or to volunteer can all be a good use of your time that is both productive and helps support your new lifestyle.
During your treatment
Relapse prevention was one of the most critical things mentioned during treatment. It’s during this time that you learned the importance of keeping yourself busy, and creating and maintaining your schedules.
During the holidays
You need not forget about your important treatment tips during the holidays. Ensure you have a list of what you can get involved in, so that your mind doesn’t remain focused on what you’re missing out.
If you don’t meet all your goals in the beginning, don’t worry. Count the number of days or weeks you have been sober. This alone can give you a feeling of comfort and peace, which is obviously a big achievement. Taking time to give thanks for the improvements can also help you to remain firmly on your addiction recovery path.
The truth is that whenever we feel exhausted, we get quicker to make impulsive judgments that may turn out to be misleading. If you are like most of us, you may find yourself entertaining thoughts of giving in to many different temptations, including the desire to drink alcohol or do other drugs. Being sure you get enough rest can’t guarantee that such situations won’t occur, but it can make that far less likely.
A sober lifestyle is something that must be enjoyed one step at a time. While the temptation to give into your previous alcohol or drugs cravings can be strong, it’s important to stay committed to your goals. Are you facing the dangerous effects of alcohol or drug addiction and experiencing the effects of PTSD as well? Warriors Heart helps active military, veterans, firefighters, law enforcement members, and first responders as they recover from these harmful conditions. Contact us today and gain your life back.
Contact us today and fight the battle against addiction and PTSD.
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