Sobriety and the Holiday Season: A Time of Supporting and Sharing By Rahimah Shah

As the new 2012 year approaches, we’re in the midst of holiday fun and busy celebrations that come with this season. This is a period most of us look forward to because we reunite during joyous occasions and bind with our families and communities. By the same token, the holidays can be a stress-filled time even for individuals who don’t struggle with addiction. Unfortunately, for some who do struggle and are in recovery, this can be a prime time for relapse.

The holidays often times does put undue pressure and a strain on addicts. Family gatherings and social situations can trigger unhealthy destructive responses to stress. Addicts can wrestle with loneliness that in turn can lead to depression. Family during the holiday season is critical. But a lot of individuals do not have family support because bridges have been burned. However, they do not have to feel alone. Along with enjoying festivities, this is also a great time to reach out to and offer ways to help support loved ones and friends before an emotional pitfall takes place and leads to relapse.

A few helpful ideas to help someone you care for is, firstly, be a support system. Encourage the person to attend extra meetings during the holidays, provide non-alcoholic beverage alternatives, help out to develop a plan and have resources available to refer to for extra guidance and even contact a drug rehabilitation center. Along with being honest and supportive, these are tips that can help an addict family member or friend.

For recovering individuals themselves, some important tips to maintaining sobriety are rest and take it easy. Rest allows you to veer away from the extraordinary tensions that can come with the holidays. Allow some “me” time for yourself. This may surprisingly be a beneficial tool. You may find hidden joys that give you a sense of peace such as painting, mediation, or just listening to music. Exercise is also a positive avenue to take. You release endorphins that come with any kind of physical activity such as playing basketball, swimming, going for a jog, riding a bike, yoga, or just even walking with a friend. Be around positive people, stay in a sober environment, get outside of yourself and most importantly, lower any expectations of yourself during this time and celebrate life. All people and things cannot be dealt with during this time. The person that you must always tend to first is yourself.

Celebrating life falls perfectly in line with one of the golden lessons of gratitude learned in recovery. The sense of gratitude, which is expressed during the holidays, is not any different than the same lesson learned in recovery. Stay focused on your recovery. This is the greatest and most perfect gift to have and to keep. It is yours. Treasure it.