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It’s therefore imperative that people in early recovery know how to effectively navigate that stress. Fortunately, there are holistic treatment options that can help. These options are rooted in proven clinical techniques and trainings, which can address your mental health issues and addiction in a safe and secure environment.
Ultimately, there is no magic formula to make things perfect for this holiday season. And I’m pretty sure there is no such thing as a “perfect” holiday season, anyway. In fact, it is often the bumps, hiccups and awkward moments that make for the most laughter and joy when we are accepting of the reality and beauty of our imperfections. When a person has an allergic reaction to a food that causes them to nearly die from anaphylaxis, they may end up in the hospital for days. They may feel weak and be particularly vulnerable to that allergen. It would make perfect sense that in preparation for that person to come home from the hospital, we would clear the house of the allergen and encourage others not to bring it into the home.
Begin the Stages of Recovery With Gateway
For many people, staying sober isn’t terribly difficult as long as life is going pretty smoothly and they’re in a pretty good mood. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, Ethos Recovery is here to help. We provide addiction treatment services and resources for people https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/reframing-holidays-in-early-recovery/ who want to stay sober, so contact us today. Otherwise, it may be best to opt out of certain events, but that decision is up to you. But for people in recovery from substance use disorders, such as from opiates or alcohol, the holidays can be a time of unique and profound stress.
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. Holiday festivities are a big part of what makes the holiday season so fun. However, these events often feature alcohol as a main event, making them difficult for newly sober people to enjoy.
Release Control
The intense feelings can draw you into a spiral, especially after making progress. Therapy can help channel these thoughts and feelings into a constructive model. Roughly 91,000 deaths have been reported for December since 1999, with roughly 29% of users reporting an increase in alcohol use. During these months, a majority of Americans will experience moderate to intense levels of stress. Maximising choice supporting positive risk-taking the dignity of risk medico-legal requirements duty of care promoting safety. As someone who has been in this position, I can share that there are three important guiding principles that can help families navigate these times.
What happens when an individual’s thoughts and behaviors do not align with these criteria? This scenario calls for an unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED) diagnosis, which also falls under the OSFED spectrum. From all of us at Ranch Creek Recovery, we wish you a safe and truly wonderful holiday season.
It’s All About Connection in Early Recovery
Sobriety requires you to dig deep and authentically practice healthier coping mechanisms. Rely on your relapse prevention plan to provide you with insight. Outpatient treatment programs are a more flexible option for those who can’t commit to a residential facility. Outpatient treatment programs are generally less costly compared to inpatient treatment, yet offer most of the services for addiction recovery.
- You could be missing out on group meetings and withdrawing.
- In a substance abuse prevention plan, this section would highlight scenarios where you feel most vulnerable and how to approach them.
- It’s important to understand the difference between a lapse (an initial use of a substance) and a relapse (uncontrolled use of a substance).
- Here lies the rub; our response to everyday irritations may be making us sick.
Many have trouble just being around alcohol, not to mention the unchecked inebriation that can occur at these parties. As mentioned above, the best suggestion is to seek guidance from others who have been in a similar situation before. The priority is for the person in early recovery to have the best opportunity to stay sober through the holidays and for the entire family to enjoy this special time together. Every emotionally challenging situation a sober young person is able to face, the stronger his or her recovery will be. SMART Recovery Family & Friends helps those who are affected by substance abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or other addictions of a loved one. CRAFT aims to teach family and friends self-protection and non-confrontational communication skills to help their addicted loved one find recovery.
For those of us in early recovery, the holidays can remind us of past rifts and wrongs, but they also present new opportunities for mending broken relationships. Healthy boundaries and clear communication can help start the holiday season with a clean slate for forging future connections. So whether or not your holidays are all the way happy, here’s to a holiday season that is healthy in recovery. Many people struggling with a substance use disorder will end up spending the holidays in rehab out of sheer necessity. This season of the year is often when professionals can take extended time off from work more discreetly and with less worry about job security, for example. Sometimes during the holiday parties we walk into a situation that ends up being more than we bargained for.
The holidays are often considered the most joyous time of year, but they’re not this way for everyone. In fact, holiday-related depression, anxiety and stress is a very real thing. People feel this pressure from many factors such as unrealistic expectations, financial pressures and excessive commitments.
Continuing education with Accanto Health
The holidays can present many triggers towards substance use and it’s crucial to have a course of action if you find yourself with cravings. The temptations to fit in and get along with loved ones can introduce conflicting feelings. To deal with stress, some try to limit time at family events. Some plan extra therapy sessions before the holidays to try to smooth things over in advance. Others spend time with their “recovery families” instead, and go to sober events.
- Consider how you might put others first this holiday season.
- Taking a class in something you are interested in can help you get out of the house and learn something that engages your mind.
- They ask if they should have alcohol at gatherings, who should be invited to functions, even if they should participate in celebrations at all.
- Remember that early recovery doesn’t last forever – if you have to alter your plans dramatically this year, that doesn’t mean you have to do it this way every year.
- Outpatient treatment programs are generally less costly compared to inpatient treatment, yet offer most of the services for addiction recovery.
