Recovery is not a solo journey; having a support system is especially crucial during the holidays. Sometimes during the holiday parties we walk into a situation reframing holidays in early recovery that ends up being more than we bargained for. When cousin Jimmy walks in smelling like weed, it might be more overwhelming than you anticipated. This is normal, but it’s good to have an idea of what you’ll do when things get rough. Here are some general strategies for reframing holidays and creating successful sober celebrations.

• Although the holidays are supposed to be cheerful, they present a lot of stress.
• Prioritizing healthy eating, exercise, and adequate sleep contributes to emotional resilience.
• At the same time, a loved one may feel out of place at a table where everyone has a glass of wine.

Understanding the Challenges of the Holiday Season in Early Recovery:

For those in early recovery, holidays can create anxiety that may override new skills to manage cravings or urges. Healthy boundaries are physical and emotional limits that people set for themselves to safeguard their wellbeing. Unhealthy boundaries are thoughts and behaviors that can lead to manipulative and controlling relationships. The goal is to personalize your family’s boundaries so that they are not “too strict” or “too loose.” Seek a balance between reconnection with others and respect for the needs of everyone present.

Mental Health Tips for the Holiday Season

Here are some additional tips for celebrating the holidays with a family member in recovery. We are dedicated to providing you with valuable resources that educate and empower you to live better. Thriveworks was established in 2008, with the ultimate goal of helping people live happy and successful lives. In addition to providing exceptional clinical care and customer service, we accomplish our mission by offering important information about mental health and self-improvement. Our clinical and medical experts, ranging from licensed therapists and counselors to psychiatric nurse practitioners, author our content, in partnership with our editorial team.

The Disconnection Connection: Holiday Disruption, Families and Addiction Recovery

• By finding new and enriching ways to celebrate, you reinforce your commitment to sobriety and remind yourself of the many rewards it brings.
• Journaling your thoughts and feelings can also aid in processing any anxiety you may encounter.
• It can be a way to address mental health concerns like depression, loneliness and isolation while staying safe during the pandemic.
• Our trained professionals will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.

As you’re preparing for holiday challenges in early recovery, we hope these tips give you the guidance you need to remain sober. Engaging with family, friends, and therapists can provide the encouragement needed to navigate emotional and social challenges. Moreover, actively participating in support groups, attending meetings, and maintaining close contact with sponsors reinforce accountability and motivation. This shared experience fosters a sense of community, reminding individuals they are not alone in their journey. If you’re in inpatient treatment over the holidays, it’s easy to feel lonely, or like you’re missing out on festivities. First and foremost, it’s important to remember the reasons why you’re attending treatment in the first place.

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My first holiday season in recovery was an emotional roller coaster. As those who have struggled with addiction can understand, being around family during the holidays is hard. Sometimes, recovery involves taking a break from certain people and situations so as to really focus on oneself and avoid bad influences. Because no matter how much we love our families and no matter how much they love us, having them too involved in the first stages of recovery can be a major distraction and very difficult to navigate.

Preparing for these challenges is critical to maintaining sobriety during this festive yet demanding time. With the right strategies, you can handle holiday triggers effectively, focus on enjoying the season, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and stay committed to your recovery journey. The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy, connection, and celebration. However, for those in addiction recovery, it can bring a mix of emotions and challenges.

At the most basic level, the person in recovery is the primary focus of treatment. On a broader level, the family of Halfway house the person in recovery has directly and indirectly been affected by addiction and may share all of the desperation with none of the control. As individuals begin the process of recovery, they pass through multiple stages of recognizing needs and making changes in their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, patterns of self-care and healing. It is never a one-size-fits-all process, but more often than not, family members provide links for rebuilding their loves one’s lives. The family unit, which can be uniquely defined for each person, also passes through a process of addiction recovery. I’m in recovery myself, and have coached many others through the experience.

For individuals in early recovery, staying sober can be a challenging task at any time of the year. However, the holiday season can bring about additional stressors and pressures that can make staying sober seem even more daunting. The thought of attending additional social commitments and family gatherings may bring about feelings of distress and overwhelm. However, individuals in recovery can benefit from realizing that they still deserve to feel holly and jolly this season, regardless of their decision to remain sober. By utilizing a healthy framework for staying sober, individuals can learn to enjoy the holidays while keeping their recovery as the highest priority in their life. But the reality often looks quite different, and the holiday stressors quickly pile up for the person in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction, making it a difficult time of year to stay sober.

Come with activities in mind you’d like to do with your family.

Discover the difference between MAT and OTP in addiction treatment and find the best path for recovery. Explore family discussions on alcohol to guide parents and reframing holidays in early recovery support kids through tough conversations on drinking. Discover support strategies and communication tips to overcome together. Explore outpatient rehab in Kansas and find trusted centers for effective addiction recovery today.