Why can recovery be hard during the partying season?

The risk of relapse coupled with covid-19 crisis that’s looming large, has made recovery a hard phenomenon for the recovering addicts during this holiday season. But not to worry, assessing your risks well in advance and devising appropriate strategies to cope with the same may make navigating the process of recovery through this season possible if not easier. Because it is best to learn from your past and do so quickly before it consumes you.

Why are holidays a hard time?

Holidays are a hard time when in recovery because of the stressors that make you feel vulnerable and prone to relapse. This makes staying sober a bigger challenge during the holiday season.

Factors that can make recovery hard

Free access to alcohol and drugs may trigger cravings of substance use. Especially after noticing friends and family using substance to celebrate in proximity. Fear and resentment associated with past memories of addiction may make holidays with proximate family members a stressful experience. This experience is not limited to the addict alone but also extends to the other members of the family and creates a sense of guilt in the addict.

We are often obligated to join parties and attend family gatherings during this time of the year. Attending parties and get-togethers means meeting toxic people, meeting old abusing partners and re-living the old memories of places, people and emotions that may drive us back to our old habits.

Given the Covid-19 situation, we may not be able to meet everyone and we may not be able to purchase gifts for everyone. Some of us may have experienced job loss or salary cuts due to the Covid crisis. The financial stress that resulted from COVID-19 situation may aggravate the already existing stress of abstinence from substance abuse.

Covid-19 situations on the contrary can also land you in loneliness due to the risk factors involved. Loneliness is said to be the biggest trigger for substance use with no-one to extend support or handle your emotions. You may also feel like you are missing out if you have to stay alone.

Holiday season demands travel and causes fatigue due to excessive meetings up, shopping and attending gatherings. Lack of sleep, stress and uncertainty are the flip side of the otherwise gala festive season.

Whether you are alone or with the family, holiday season presents itself with its own set of drawbacks that cause stress and relapse among the recovering addicts. Let’s look at some coping mechanisms for the above stressors.

Learn to say “NO”

The recovering addicts should learn to say “No” to some activities that may cause relapse. For example, they should avoid some gatherings which could trigger their older habits. 

Have Pre-planned Schedules

More often than not, physical strain and fatigue drives people to consume liquor in pursuit of relaxation. Having pre-planned schedules saves a lot of physical effort and minimises fatigue.

Avoid meeting old abusing pals

However, obligated you may be, it is wise to avoid pals who were partners in the crime of substance abuse. There is always a chance that they may coerce you to drink and you may end up relapsing.

Avoid meeting toxic people who make you feel shameful

Guilt trips are considered one of the major reasons for relapse among the recovering addicts. This is more often true during the holiday season when they meet with a toxic relative who pushes them down the guilt road for the previous addiction habits. Avoiding such people is advisable to keep the recovery maintained.

Understanding your finances and acting accordingly

Many stress factors are related to finances whether you are an addict or not. While gifting is considered a fun-filled activity during the holiday season, the fact that you will be judged upon based on your gifts is a stress factor. Also, the rush involved in last minute decisions causes stress. Having your gifts pre-budgeted comes a long way in avoiding such stress.

Coping with loneliness

Loneliness is hard to deal with. We all have been there and we understand it thoroughly. But occupying ourselves with positive activities like doing yoga, writing a journal or volunteering for a holiday charity program are good ways to cope with loneliness.

There may be numerous factors that make recovery hard during the holiday season. But the good news is that there are numerous ways to cope with them too if you are well determined. Why not choose health over relapse?Because the holiday season is a perfect time to count our blessings and spread love to those around us.

Wishing you a season of full of joy and gaiety, happy holidays – Team Phoenix