Common Holiday Triggers & How to Cope
The holiday season can be a difficult time for many—especially those struggling with addiction. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your spirits bright and stay on the path of sobriety during the holiday season and beyond.
Holiday Stress
With pressure to decorate, prepare elaborate dinners, and buy gifts—the holiday season can be an especially stressful time of year. Stress is one of the leading causes of addiction relapses, causing addicted persons to seek solace from these distressing emotions through drugs and alcohol use.
When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or down, try some of the following coping mechanisms to feel more at ease:
- Take a nature walk.
- Take a warm shower or bath.
- Try yoga and meditation.
- Write your thoughts down in a journal.
- Practice breathing exercises.
- Try progressive muscle relaxation.
- Vent to someone you trust.
Being Around Loved Ones Who Drink or Use
With the holidays upon us, many festivities and events involve activities like drinking or using drugs. If you find yourself at a holiday celebration where others are drinking or using drugs, try the following tips to help limit the temptation to use:
- Designate a “support buddy” at the social event.
- Try to focus on the reason for the celebration.
- Leave if you feel too uncomfortable.
- Prepare responses for why you aren’t drinking or using drugs.
Overestimating Your Sobriety
Regardless of how long you’ve been sober, addiction is a lifelong disease. While you may feel confident in your ability to stay in control of how much you drink or use drugs, “just this once” can quickly turn into a downward spiral. If you feel confident in your ability to stay sober, your best bet is to continue that sobriety even through the temptation and remind yourself how far you’ve come.
Seeking Help for Addiction at North Georgia Recovery Center
The road to recovery starts with taking the first step. Let us walk alongside you on the path to sobriety and wellness. When you choose to seek treatment at North Georgia Recovery Center, you can rest assured knowing that you will be treated by licensed therapists in our state-of-the-art facilities. Every one of our team members is certified to address and effectively treat the issues that come along with addiction.
To schedule your free consultation with our team, call (678) 940-7873 or contact us online today.