Ways to avoid relapse during the New Year
The New Year is a fun and jolly time for many with parties and get-togethers with friends and family. But it is also a dreadful time for some for precisely the same reasons – parties and get-togethers filled with alcohol and sometimes maybe even drugs. It can be a difficult time for those in recovery to navigate without relapsing. Some resort to staying away from friends and families to avoid a relapse but that could lead to loneliness which can also be a trigger for relapse. So, what can one do to avoid consuming alcohol and drugs this New Year? We highlight some ideas to help you. The techniques described below can help if you have faced issues with addiction before or even if you just want to avoid alcohol or drugs in general. Please consider sharing this with someone who might need the help.
Plan Early
The first step to avoid Alcohol or Drugs is to make up your mind and draw up a strategy early. Thinking about what happens during the day and the scenarios that might play out can help us plan and prepare early. One example would be the people that we meet over New Year parties. Are any of them triggers that could make us turn to alcohol or drugs? Or are they people that might push us to partake in alcohol or drug consumption? In any case, steer clear and be ready to say “NO”.
Another example is the presence of liquor in the party. A strategy in this case is to either carry your own safe non-alcoholic drink. You could also call the organiser or host and request them to stock up on non-alcoholic beverages.
Avoid HALT
A crucial part to avoid alcohol or drugs is to avoid being “HALT”. HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Taking good care of yourself and surrounding yourself with the right people can help ward off the triggers that can result in alcohol or drug consumption. Also ensure that you are rested, well fed and hydrated.
Avoid Stress
One of the biggest culprits that can turn us to seeking the support of alcohol or drugs is stress. Try avoiding stressful situations and people if at all that is possible. If not, consider preparing strategies for dealing with such people and situations. Taking deep breaths, distancing yourself from people or situations or maybe even meditating or taking a walk can help to some extent.
Support System
Having friends or family that have supported you in your recovery from addiction can be a massive help in keeping you away from alcohol or drugs. Take them along with you and ask them to support you by sticking with you throughout the night. One more option to consider is tagging along a sober friend who is unlikely to drink or do drugs. But do enlist their support beforehand in ensuring that you do not end up consuming alcohol or drugs.
Leave Early
The clock’s struck 12AM and the New Year is here! Awesome! Pack up and leave. Our will-power can diminish as we get sleepy. Plus, there could be other situations that could entice us to a drink or do drugs. In any case the moment that we feel that it could be difficult to control ourselves around alcohol or drugs, it’s better to leave. It is helpful you we drove ourselves but even if not, book a cab and head back home. Don’t worry about what people will think because they themselves might not remember it the next day. It’s not worth the risk in any case.
Practice NO
Your friend offers you a drink, tells you one drink is not a big deal. Or your colleague offers you a drink, tell you to be a good sport. Or a family member, one who is aware of your struggles with addiction offers you a drink because they are drunk and they don’t know any better. Visualise such scenarios and practice saying NO beforehand so that it’s easy when the situation presents itself.
These are some of the strategies outlined by our team that can help you over the New Year. If you think the strategies above might not help you and if you need additional help, consider calling our counsellor at +917799919293.
