21st December 2020 • Sticky Post

Staying Sober During The Holidays: 10 Christmas Relapse Prevention Tips

When we think about the Christmas season, we conjure up some lovely mental images. Roaring fires, delighted smiles, cozy sweaters, and delicious treats. But as they grow closer, reality sets in. Suddenly the idyll shifts to financial pressures, familial strife, grueling travel, pressure to have a drink, lack of sleep, and gloomy weather, trials that can turn the jolliest elf into a raging Grinch. And for those dealing with addiction issues, mounting stress will always create the danger of relapse. But it’s possible to navigate the holiday season with your smile, and your sobriety intact. Let’s take a look at 10 Christmas relapse prevention tips for successfully surviving a dangerous month!

1) Be Prepared

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is assuming that you can breeze through the Christmas season. We highly recommend planning things out ahead of time. What days, parties, and gatherings could be trouble? How will you deal with pressure from friends and family? Who can you call or meet up with when you need sober Christmas support? When can you schedule some time for yourself to reflect, exercise, or recharge your batteries? When can you find time to attend a meeting or therapy session? Anticipating the challenges that are coming your way and plotting out approaches for overcoming them will ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed.

2) What About HALT?

This one seems simple, but it’s incredibly important. The acronym stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. When you’re making the rounds of parties, family events, and work functions, it can be easy to lose track of your physical and emotional state. All of these feelings will negatively effect your sense of well-being, and they can exert a profoundly negative effect on your decision making. Before putting yourself into situations that may be stressful, listen to yourself. It isn’t the end of the world if you take a night off to rest up, or show up late to a dinner party because you needed to connect with a supportive friend.

3) Stick Together!

Fellowship is one of the most powerful tools we have for battling addiction. From sponsors, loved ones, and peers in treatment, we can gain essential support that keeps us on the right track. Taking a sober friend to a gathering can make it easy to avoid temptation. If that isn’t possible, arrange to have a network of friends on call, who can offer you encouragement, a shoulder to cry on, or a safe ride home when the need arises.  

4) BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverages)

There is something about the appearance of an empty hand that sets off those who have already over-indulged. Ensuring that you’re drinking something, whether orange juice, cola, or sparkling water with a twist of lime, will keep the drunken uncles and red-nosed bosses away. It sounds small but it can help you avoid dozens of awkward conversations and tedious explanations over the course of the next month.

5) Explain Yourself

You probably don’t want to delve into the details of your recovery with every one of your acquaintances. So being able to quickly dismiss inquiries into why you aren’t partying harder can help you avoid this unnecessary stress. Whether it’s “I’m on antibiotics for a vicious cold”, “I’m the designated driver tonight” or “I have plans early tomorrow morning”, having an excuse at hand can make parties much more pleasant and keep your Christmas relapse prevention plan out of danger.

6) Know When To Say No

While the holidays are a great time to catch up with the people in your life, you’re under no obligation to make an appearance at every single party and event you’re invited to. If something sounds too stressful, if you’re feeling tired, sick, or emotionally drained, or if you think a New Year’s Eve party might create too much temptation, don’t feel guilty about politely demurring. Your sobriety is the most important gift you can give to yourself and your loved ones, and those who care about you will understand that you need to make it your number one priority.

7) Be Active

Doing something active and interesting will keep your mind off of alcohol and drugs. Rather than sitting around pubs or living rooms, try to organize or join events that keep you on the go. Organize a caroling group, volunteer with the needy, bake cookies, or take a walk to see all of the Christmas decorations and lights in your neighborhood. This can help keep your mind on the positive aspects of the holiday.

8) Stay Mindful and Grateful

One of the difficult parts of the holidays for those in recovery is dealing with regret. Your addiction has probably severed your ties to some people that you care about, and a common response to loneliness is a focus on negative emotions like self-pity, bitterness, and finding fault. Instead of dwelling on negative emotions, find things that you can be grateful for and happy about. Meditating on or pondering the gifts you’ve received, and the invaluable support that others have offered you can keep your mind-set positive in stressful times. Christmas relapse prevention is all about positivity!

9) Have Boundaries 

Establish in advance the things you need, and the things you need to avoid for Christmas relapse prevention. If a close friend or family member triggers the desire to use, limit the time you’ll spend with them, and make sure it’s in a safe setting like a morning coffee or catching a movie. Decide how many nights in and nights out you can handle and stick to your plan. Schedule your meetings, therapy sessions, and sponsor meet-ups and follow through on them. And ensure that you get 8 hours of sleep each night. 

10) Be Ready For January

The holidays are a challenge, and if you get through them with your sobriety intact you deserve to feel great! But remember that many addicts are most prone to relapse after coming through a crisis. There’s a reason everybody says “one day at a time.” The work of maintaining your health and recovery isn’t over just because you’ve emerged from this trial unscathed.

It’s also important to remember that relapse is extremely common and that if you succumb to the pressures and stresses of the holidays this year, you shouldn’t give up on battling addiction. If you or anyone you know needs help, reach out to Iboga Tree Healing House today!