Seeing old friends and family members can bring back emotions tied to past holidays. These memories aren’t always pleasant and may make you want to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with the anxiety, depression or stress they bring. Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults.

How To Celebrate The Holidays While Staying Sober

Some families are considerate enough to hide the alcohol or, better, to go alcohol-free, but often, sadly, there are many people who just can’t enjoy themselves without some type of intoxicant. As addictions can run in families, many in recovery complain about their addicted or alcoholic family members who refuse to get diagnosed or admit their problems, but who drink like fish at all family gatherings. Ask if they’d like to invite someone or invite others who do not drink. Regardless of whether alcohol is served or not, the recovering person may want to invite a recovering guest.

• When cousin Jimmy walks in smelling like weed, it might be more overwhelming than you anticipated.
• Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.
• The biggest gift that you can give to yourself and your loved ones is that of sobriety.
• Is there a spot somewhere that you can quietly slip away to and get a call with your safety net?
• They have the potential to convince us that we deserve whatever we want in the moment regardless of the outcomes.

Bring your own drinks

There may be some who feel the same way you do and follow suit with not drinking alcohol or you may even start a new tradition regarding the beverage used for the toast. However, for people with substance use disorder, the holidays can be seen as something that can be harmful to them if they are not careful. I know that for myself, there has always been alcohol around and I had family and friends who would drink. I was always worried that someone would offer me a drink and that one drink would cause me to go back to wanting to use on a regular basis.

• • Don’t plan to stay for the entire time if it’s going to make you uncomfortable.
• However, one thing that all triggers have in common is that they trigger emotional distress, which can lead to an emotional relapse.
• I know that for myself, there has always been alcohol around and I had family and friends who would drink.
• Let family and friends know in advance that you won’t be drinking alcohol at the event.
• Kali Lux is a consumer marketing leader with a focus on healthcare and wellness.
• You are encouraged to report negative side effects of drugs to the FDA.

PROGRAMS

If it makes you uncomfortable that they aren’t drinking, you may wish to reflect upon your own relationship to alcohol. Over 11 percent of U.S. adults (29.2 million) report that they have ever had a problem with substances (SAMHSA, 2021). Thus, in addition to those in recovery, it is likely that most Americans know someone who struggles with their use of alcohol or other drugs. Provide time and space to step away from the group, if needed. Being able to take a walk, relax in a quiet room, step away to connect by telephone with another person in recovery, attend a mutual aid meeting, or gracefully depart early can reframing holidays in early recovery be very important to a person in early recovery.

• When conflicts arise, you may choose to dismiss yourself from the group until the trouble passes.
• So although this time of year can bring families together, substance use may also be part of the fabric of a family culture during celebratory events.
• If their family does not respect that boundary, then the individual in recovery should feel comfortable not attending gatherings.
• “No thank you, I do not drink”, or “I am not a drinker, but I am having a good time” could be beneficial.

• Given that the pandemic has been connected to an increase in drinking and substance use across the country, people may be using more heavily this season.
• Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults.
• The Discovery House is a fully licensed, Joint Commission accredited, comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment center located in Reseda servicing the Los Angeles area.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Moreover, as public awareness about the disease of addiction increases, the less stigmatized it will be and the more openly our society will celebrate recovery. If you are interested in starting a Family & Friends meeting in your local area, we would love to hear from you. Please click here to learn more about starting a Family & Friends meeting. You can find Family & Friends meetings both in-person and online.