I didn’t have an incredible holiday season but you know what? I hung out with friends, went to meetings, and ate at Denny’s. I knew in my heart that if I stayed on this path, I would be okay and next year would be amazing. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to seek help and support. Your journey to recovery is a path toward a brighter and more fulfilling future, and the holiday season can be a season of healing and transformation. Many worry about family dinners, and purchasing presents as the holidays quickly approach.
- As you prepare for the upcoming holidays, do it with support and awareness.
- However, we can make intentional decisions to support our community members in recovery as we navigate the holiday season.
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- If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.
- Also, they have questions about how much should be shared with others in the family and circle of friends.
Provide time and space to step away from the group, if needed. Any general advice posted on our blog, website, or app is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical or other advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation arises in which you require medical advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified medical services provider.
Nov How To Navigate The Holidays Without Family During Early Recovery
• We encourage you to be supportive and proactive about your family member’s recovery. You can reach to them in a way that lets them know you trust them with their own recovery but that you are there reframing holidays in early recovery for them if needed. Make them feel included in plans and if you know they are struggling, suggest they attend a meeting or call a sponsor. After that talk with my friend, my view shifted completely.
There is no need to have money to give to be able to do things for other people during the holidays. Rather, there are plenty of opportunities to dedicate your time and talents. By serving other people selflessly, you also give yourself the gift of not being lonely.
Winter holiday stressors can endanger sobriety, but healing is still possible.
Ask your friend or family member if they are comfortable taking part in the celebration this year. Make sure they understand that it is perfectly OK to miss the celebration if that is what is best for their recovery. It’s better to miss them this time around in order to increase the likelihood that they will be alive, well, and able to participate in future events. You are not responsible for your guest’s recovery, even if that guest is your child, sibling, or parent. Behind the scenes orchestration to “help” the recovering person through the event can sometimes be unhelpful. Instead, reach out to him or her to see if there’s anything you can do to help the event go smoothly.
Coaches are a great resource to help an individual replace the structure they had in a residential treatment facility. A coach will generally work with an individual several times a week to be an https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/stages-of-alcoholism-early-middle-end-stages/ accountability partner and work through obstacles to a comfortable and meaningful recovery. Many recovery coaches meet with clients virtually, so it’s easy to fit coaching into a daily schedule.
Tips for People in Outpatient Programs
As such, it’s important to be extra careful, whether you’re staying at home or attending events. This time each year can be stressful for anyone, but the holidays present a special challenge for people recovering from an addiction. Those in long-term recovery typically are adept at navigating the minefield of temptation at holiday social gatherings. But many of those in their first year of recovery, their friends, and family members wonder how best to celebrate the holidays safely, comfortably, and joyously.