Most people are eagerly anticipating the good cheer of the holiday season. The otherness of everybody in their families being in one place for the first time all year, but it’s important to understand that most people don’t feel joyful or bright this time of year.
Situational Awareness
Some people who are dealing with difficulties in their families or even substance abuse find the Christmas period very difficult. Substance abuse seems to peak over the holiday period and it’s mostly because of the situations people are in.
They are with their families, and friends, and they are invited to party after party, which makes it very difficult to say no to some of the substances that they may have been abusing in the first place.
For some people, the holiday season is a time of isolation and uncertainty, and while it’s realistic to acknowledge the tough times, you also must make a plan to get through them.
Holiday Triggers
The holiday season is a stressor for many people, even those who are not addicted to substances. Some of the reasons for this include:
- The feeling of loneliness
- The increased financial pressure of the season
- Triggers to do with family and friends that may have led to substance abuse in the first place
- Social anxiety
- A deep need to fit in and join in with the fun
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Feeling depressed
- A feeling of disconnect
- Unresolved trauma
Any of these factors can cause anybody to turn to alcohol or drugs over the holiday season but, if you are struggling to stay within your limits in sobriety, you may be looking for another way to help yourself. You’re not alone in how you feel if any of this pertains to you, and it might provide some reassurance to know that you are not alone in how you feel.
Reach Out
However, it’s vital to your well-being to recognize that your emotions are valid and that there are many resources out there that can help you or someone that you love to make it through this challenging time.
If you are afraid to relapse during the holidays, you are definitely not alone and one of the first things that you can do is revisit your treatment plan with your key worker and addiction counselor to help you.
When you were in treatment, you probably worked through the HALT method to understand your own well-being. You addressed hunger and anger, loneliness and tiredness to be able to help yourself.
You also may have gone through a 12-step program with the appropriate support. As the holidays and you are surrounded by temptation, you need to continue with your steps and talk everything out with your sponsor.
Having somebody on your side that you can speak to at any time of day or night is really going to help you. You need to be able to get through the holidays and maintain your sobriety and that means ensuring that you have somewhere to call when you really need it.
With depression and addiction, it’s very easy for people to think that suicide is the only solution to end their painful stop however, when you call your treatment addiction center and ask for help, you will always have somebody ready to listen to you.
Grand Falls Recovery
If you have issues with drug or alcohol usage, the holidays maybe they actually be the best time to head to a rehab center and seek professional help and surround yourself with that helpful stop if you don’t have to be around family or friends or you simply don’t want to because you know that it will be too tempting, then seek out the right help instead.
You deserve a life that is free of addiction and free of pain, and the holiday season is no different. You should be just fine to make sure that you are crafting a holiday season that feels right to you. Staying away from triggers, staying away from substances that you could easily turn to, and making sure that you are surrounded by people who care will help you.
At Grand Falls, we offer a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment experience, rooted in an evidence-based, client-focused approach. We are committed to improving as many lives as we can through our staff and facility.
We combine detox services with psychological therapy and support to give patients the comprehensive support they need to overcome their addiction. We offer evidence-based treatment programs to help people rebuild their lives and live a life of sobriety