Recognizing the Triggers for Substance Abuse During the Holidays
The holidays are often filled with triggers for those that have struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Holiday parties and get-togethers are often complete with alcoholic beverages and drugs easily available, with guests imbibing without a care. For recovering addicts, continued sobriety can be a real struggle during this holiday season with the alcohol and drugs flowing freely. The stresses that go with the holidays, from family dynamics to financial strains of gift-giving, are also high triggers for those focused on their recovery. It is important to recognize and avoid these triggers to ensure that you can get through the holidays, while still maintaining and drug and alcohol-free lifestyle.
Handling Drug and Alcohol Triggers During the Holidays
Knowing what can trigger a drug or alcohol relapse is an important step to staying sober during the holiday season. This may be the proximity of these substances at a party or watching other guests enjoy drugs or alcohol freely. As a recovering addict it is important not to put yourself in this type of tempting situation. If you know that drugs or alcohol will be present, skip the party altogether or have a sober friend be an ally to ensure you resist the draw of these substances. Letting the hosts know beforehand that you are leading a sober life can also help in avoiding these triggers.
Spending time with family members during the holidays can be a very stressful undertaking for some. From the stress of family conflicts and judgement to unresolved trauma, this time together may feel impossible. Relying on your sober support system when this family dynamic becomes too much can help. You may also want to limit the time spent with family to shorter periods for your own sanity and long-term sobriety.
An overwhelming schedule and list of things to do during the holiday can also trigger a relapse into drug and alcohol abuse. Eliminate some of the things on your calendar, freeing up time to focus on your long-term sobriety. A jam-packed calendar and to-do list is not going to help anyone to enjoy the holidays and this stress may push you toward drugs or alcohol.
Close Friends and Family Will Help You Remain Sober During the Holidays
By understanding your addiction triggers during the holidays, you can better be prepared to handle these scenarios. Depending on where you are in your recovery, this may mean avoiding these situations entirely. The most important thing during the holidays is to focus on your recovery. Everything else is secondary. Your true friends and family will understand this, and work with you to keep you out of situations that may be triggering for drugs and alcohol.
If you are having trouble maneuvering this time of year and the struggles that go along with it, addiction counselors and professionals can help you to get through this difficult time. Trained professionals are experienced in helping recovering addicts identify their substance abuse triggers and the best way to handle these types of situations to ensure that you stay drug and alcohol free.
