Holidays in Recovery: How to Handle Holiday Stress

The holiday season brings challenges like holiday stress to people who are recovering from an alcohol or drug addiction. ‘Tis the season when the chief go-to gift is typically a bottle of wine or spirits. The celebratory nature of the season generally comes with toasts and social gatherings laden with booze. Naturally, individuals who are recovering from a substance use disorder cannot partake in certain holiday rituals like champagne toasts or trays of spiked eggnog. In many ways, abstaining can be stressful and pose a risk to the recovery process. However, with tips and strategies, you can still enjoy the holidays while maintaining your recovery progress. 

WhiteSands offers clients a complete range of addiction treatment programs that include inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, clinically supervised detox, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment. Clients can also enroll in our aftercare and sober living programs. We prioritize individualized treatment to ensure that every client gets the personalized support they need to achieve long-term recovery. Our community offers clients a safe, positive place where they can immerse themselves in treatment and get the help they need to transform their lifestyle and health for the better. 

Even though the holidays can be difficult at times, they also bring a feeling of hope and renewal. The holidays may seem different in the context of sobriety, but recovery demands abstinence from drugs and alcohol. During treatment, clients will learn strategies for not only coping with holiday stress but also with the triggers that led them to abuse alcohol or drugs in the first place. Each client can trust our caring clinicians to help them as they progress along their road to recovery. With a few tips, the holidays might just leave you feeling better than ever. 

Understanding Holiday Stress in the Context of Recovery

During the holidays, stress can come in many forms. Some people face financial stress that makes it difficult to think about the gift-giving season. Others may find socializing difficult because they aren’t used to meeting for celebrations without a drink in hand. Some people might experience strong cravings to drink or use drugs while others are doing so during this festive time of year. 

The clinicians at WhiteSands understand how the stressors can pile up and threaten the recovery process. It’s important to remember that stress will always be there in some way, shape, or form. What must be different about this holiday season–and every day thereafter–is how you deal with stress. Drinking and drugs are off limits but there are lots of healthful ways to cope with even the most troublesome stressors. Identifying stressors and developing strategies for managing them can help you keep your recovery progress on track.

Recognizing Common Triggers During the Holidays

During the holiday season, there are plenty of stressors that range from crowded malls and bad weather to family drama and financial obligations. Many people find it difficult to meet with family and friends during the early phases of their recovery. It can be taxing to answer questions about their condition or to mix with people who continue to drink or use drugs. 

The holidays can certainly be a fun time, but they can also be stressful. Some clients aren’t able to travel to meet with family or have lost family and friends. Others might not recall a recent time when they socialized without a drink in hand. Stress can come in many forms, but it’s important to remember that you aren’t alone. Many people face holiday stress. The key is to manage it in healthy ways that don’t involve drugs, alcohol, or other behaviors that might threaten your recovery journey. 

Strategies for Managing Stress and Maintaining Sobriety

If you are concerned about protecting your recovery progress during the holiday season, remember that there are many ways to cope. For instance, you can attend aftercare programming or schedule additional counseling or support group sessions. Getting the support you need when you need it is a hallmark of good condition management. Don’t forgo your therapy just because it’s a busy time of year. Prioritize your recovery; it’s crucial to maintain your recovery plan. 

Another way to manage stress during the holiday season is to meet with supportive family and friends. It’s helpful to socialize with people who support your recovery goals and will not threaten them by offering you drugs or alcohol. Avoid bars or events that could pose a threat to your sobriety. 

Be sure to make a plan for managing your holiday stress. Include stress-managing activities like meditation, yoga, physical fitness, reading, watching holiday movies, holiday decorating, ice skating, or participating in other activities that help you reduce stress without threatening your recovery progress. 

The Importance of a Solid Support System

Remember to rely on your support system if you need to. The WhiteSands community is here for you. Be sure to identify family and friends who can provide you with healthful support. Talk to them about your stress. If you are struggling, be sure to schedule time to meet with your therapist or healthcare provider. Your recovery is important so be sure to address your stress with positive management techniques like attending support group meetings or other aftercare programs.

Navigating Social Gatherings and Festive Events

The holidays can be a busy time with their social gatherings and events. Some individuals might find it stressful to attend a large number of events. Maintaining a set schedule can be a helpful device for managing recovery. Too many extra events can increase stress. If the busy schedule makes you feel uncomfortable, reduce the number of events you attend down to the essentials. Your recovery should be your top priority. 

When you consider which events to attend and which to skip, consider the nature of the event. Nighttime parties might include more alcohol than daytime events. Consider skipping the festivities that could threaten your sobriety. If an event is likely to add to your stress level, it might be a good idea to attend it only briefly or not at all. 

Planning to Avoid High-Stress Situations

Events that are likely to turn into wild parties can threaten your recovery journey. Avoiding certain events for a year is understandable when you are in the early stages of addiction recovery. It’s alright to avoid stressful situations at this time. If the event will impede your progress, it is best to forgo it. Explain the situation to the event hosts if necessary, but don’t attend any gatherings that you know are unhealthy for your recovery. 

Celebrating the Holidays in a Healthy Sober Way with Help from WhiteSands

Celebrate the holidays sober and keep your recovery on track. WhiteSands can help you create a holiday plan that includes strategies for managing your recovery during this festive and busy time of year. If you are feeling the stress, rely on us for support. Remember that aftercare is an important post-rehab step that can help you achieve your long-term recovery goals. If you have not enrolled for treatment, now is a great time to start your life afresh, putting drugs and alcohol in your past. Contact us to learn more about our addiction treatment programs. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.