So many things happen on Christmas. Parties, dancing, food, music, games – with so much going on, it’s easy for those in addiction recovery to feel overwhelmed. While Christmas time can be a wonderful time to spend with friends and family, there are many physical and psychological risks that can take place. By remaining aware of how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and what it is you need, you’ll be able to ensure that you have an excellent holiday. Keep the following reminders in mind:
- Choose not to over-do it. For many households around the U.S. Christmas is a time of stress and anxiety – and many people allow themselves to over-indulge in things like drugs or alcohol because they feel they “need” it. Because it’s so easy to cross boundaries during Christmas, make the decision to limit yourself on what you will and will not allow yourself to do – and stick to it firmly.
- Have a back-up plan. Christmas evening, make sure that you already have a ride home planned whether it’s you driving or a friend taking you home. It can be helpful to already plan an exit strategy in case you begin to feel uncomfortable or want to leave early; in addition to this, knowing that you can leave a situation may help you feel more confident in saying “no” if being asked to drink more than you’d like.
- Choose to be around people who make you feel safe. Having a friend whom you can rely on throughout the night who has the same goal of sobriety and safety can help you stay on track in your sobriety goals. If you’re still around people who are drinking, you may even want to come up with a certain “word” or “code” for when you’re ready to leave, so that it’s easy for you to head out when you need to.
There are many steps that you can take to promote your health and safety throughout the night. Try to implement these so that you can feel as happy and safe as possible on Christmas.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 844-857-5992 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you – it’s never too late to begin taking steps towards a happier, healthier life.
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