People tend to think of the holidays as a peaceful time to mingle with loved ones, but having family members around is often a source of stress for those who are in treatment for substance use disorders. If you’re in alcohol or drug rehab in Arizona, our Desert Cove Recovery team can offer some tips for staying sober, even when you’re faced with navigating the intricate landscape of family dynamics.
Addiction Recovery and the Holidays: Challenges of the Season
The most wonderful time of the year can be a minefield for people who have completed or are in the middle of an alcohol or drug treatment program. One reason why is that celebrations often revolve around meals and drinks, which is a challenge if you have an alcohol use disorder.
Alcoholic beverages are everywhere during the holidays. You’ll likely be directly offered a drink during a holiday party, and you may not want to go into detail about why you’re turning it down. There may even be a bit of peer pressure from people who don’t understand or know what you’re struggling with.
However, it’s not only those with alcohol use disorders who face this struggle. Family dynamics can be a concern for most people in recovery, especially in the beginning stages of the process. You may not have yet addressed interpersonal conflicts, or perhaps a family member has chosen not to participate in therapy sessions. Whatever the reason, being surrounded by people who have seen you at your worst can be very difficult.
Having an unpleasant conversation or feeling like your family is judging you can be a significant cause of stress, which is one of the most serious relapse triggers, especially if using drugs or alcohol was your only coping mechanism.[1]
Learning About Strategies for Managing Difficult Family Dynamics with A Drug Rehab in Arizona
To stay sober during the holidays, you must find ways to manage those incredibly challenging family dynamics. Let’s look at some important strategies to help you avoid relapses.
Set Boundaries
It’s essential to clearly set boundaries so that you know how to handle interactions. Boundaries can protect you from situations and people who cause distress and impact your recovery. One way of doing this is to speak honestly about your struggles. If your loved ones know that a particular topic is triggering, they will be able to avoid bringing it up.
You have to be ready to follow up on the boundaries you set. For example, if you tell your loved ones that you’ll leave if they try to pressure you into drinking, you have to do so. This is vital not just for them but for you, too. Sticking to your boundaries emphasizes that you’re breaking away from past patterns.
Engage With Supportive Loved Ones
If you know that your sibling understands what you’re going through and they’re sympathetic to the various family dynamics you’re worried about, keep them around as much as possible. They can be a bit of a buffer, offer moral support, and even hold you accountable.
Sometimes, there may not be anyone with whom you feel comfortable. That doesn’t mean that you’re on your own. Reach out to your recovery support group, people from your 12-step program, or other sober acquaintances who understand the challenges of the holidays.
Create an Exit Strategy with Your Drug Rehab in Arizona
As much as you may try, some circumstances are just too overwhelming. You need to know how to extricate yourself from these situations to avoid serious consequences for your mental health and sobriety. Pay attention to your well-being and learn to recognize when discomfort becomes dangerous. Facing difficult conversations can be helpful, but if you begin panicking, you need to give yourself space.
Know Your Limits
Substance abuse treatment helps you to understand yourself better, and one of the most important things you can learn is what your limits are while you’re in recovery. If you know going to a particular location is a serious trigger, it may be wiser not to go.
Often, people assume they must meet all the challenges that come their way to prove their long-term sobriety is solid, but that can lead to excessive internal pressure. Avoiding situations that could put your sobriety in danger doesn’t make your recovery any less meaningful.
Focus on Self-Care
As you navigate the holidays, it’s a good idea to focus on maintaining the self-care you’ve learned through your recovery. Make sure you’re hydrated and that you’re eating nutritious foods. You also want to get enough sleep. It’s common for people to go to bed late and wake up at noon during the holidays, but it’s better to establish a healthy sleep routine so that you don’t stress yourself even more.
Drug Rehab in Arizona: Trusting Desert Cove Recovery With Your Path to Sobriety
At Desert Cove Recovery, we offer comprehensive recovery services that can help you manage everything that life throws your way. Our rehab facilities provide the therapy you need to uncover what led to the addiction while also showing you how to make the necessary changes to avoid relapses. With our help, you can learn how to help yourself through the most challenging situations. Contact our rehab in Arizona to get started.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3674771/
