There’s no denying that the holidays can be stressful for many people. That’s because the holiday season brings with it all sorts of expectations and pressures. From family reunions to parties, and from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, there are a lot of different situations people will find themselves in during the holidays.
For some, these situations can trigger feelings of anxiety or stress. This is why the holidays also tend to be a time when many people have a higher risk of succumbing to substance abuse as well.
Don’t Go to Parties Alone
Whether you’re going to a family get-together, or a coworker’s holiday party, don’t go to the party alone if you’re an alcoholic or a recovering addict. You might not see it or understand it now, but being around people who are drinking or using drugs will be a trigger for you.
You need to be around people who aren’t using or drinking in order to not become dependent on those substances. If you’re going to a party alone, make sure you’re not by yourself or that you have a good friend or family member with you.
Stick to Your Rituals
As you get into the holiday season, you might start to feel the pressure to go out more and socialize more. This can be a great way to meet new people, but it can also be a trigger for some people.
If you feel the need to go out more, or if you start to feel more pressure than you ever have to go out and socialize, this is likely a sign that you’re stressed and anxious. If you’re going through a period of high stress and pressure, you may want to consider staying home and hanging out with your loved ones instead.
When you’re in a period of high stress and anxiety, it can make you feel the need to socialize and meet new people.
Make a Point of Not Being Around Drugs or Alcohol
As you’re out and about during the holidays, make a point of not being around drugs or alcohol if you struggle with substance abuse. This is especially important if you’re around extended family members.
For many people, family is a key factor in why they may struggle with addiction. If you have family members who are using drugs or drinking, make a point of staying away from these people. Don’t be around them and don’t let them be around you.
If you absolutely must be in the same room as them, make a point of staying away from them and not engaging with them.
Honor Your Sobriety Promise
One thing you should make a point of doing during the holidays is making sure you honor your sobriety promise. This is important because it can help you avoid situations where you might feel tempted to use again. This promise is often made to yourself, but it’s a promise you should make to other people as well.
Stay Flexible
One thing you should make a point of doing during the holidays is staying flexible. This means that you should be open to trying new things. When you’re in a period of high stress, this is often the best way to deal with it. One of the best ways to deal with high stress during the holidays is to be flexible.
During periods of high stress, it’s important to be flexible and open to things changing. This allows you to be more spontaneous and go with the flow, rather than being stuck in one way of thinking.
Be Committed to Recovery
If you’re struggling with substance abuse during the holidays, one thing you should make a point of doing is being committed to your recovery. This doesn’t mean you should be stuck in a recovery rut, but it does mean that you should be committed to doing the things that will help you stay on the path to recovery.
If you’re going through a stressful period in your life and you find yourself using substances more than you normally do, this is a good time to pull yourself back from the edge.Plan activities ahead of time
Many people like to plan their holiday events and parties. This is because they often think they’ll have a better time if they have a schedule and a set place to be. However, if you’re struggling with an addiction right now, planning ahead can actually trigger feelings of anxiety and stress for you.
This is because planning and scheduling your days and nights can often put you in a constant state of anxiety. It can also make you feel like you aren’t in control of your life anymore. This is why planning activities ahead of time is often a really good way to avoid certain addictions during the holidays.
Don’t drink with stress
Many people like to have a few drinks at parties or with family members during the holidays. This is because many people enjoy this type of socializing. However, if you’re battling an addiction, drinking when you’re stressed can often make things worse.
This is because alcohol is a drug that acts as a depressant. What this means is that when you drink it will slow down your brain and nervous system activity – including your ability to think clearly, make good decisions, and feel in control of yourself.
Avoid people you don’t want to see
Many people like to party and have events with close friends and family members during the holidays. This is because these types of events often tend to be a lot of fun. However, this can often be a trigger for many people who struggle with addictions.
Don’t take on new responsibilities right before the holidays
Many work schedules and job roles are often changed right before the holidays start. This is because many people like to celebrate the end of the year with team celebrations. What this means is that you may find yourself taking on new responsibilities right before the holidays start.
This is often caused by the fact that many people want to go all out for the holidays – especially those in the corporate world. This means that you may find yourself taking on new responsibilities right before the holidays start.
This can often trigger feelings of stress and anxiety for many people who struggle with addictions. This is because it can often feel like you’re not in control of yourself anymore.