Holidays can be an extremely difficult time for a recovering addict. Gatherings are full of family, friends, and alcohol. Holidays are generally considered an extra stressful time of year for people who don’t suffer from alcoholism, and having this condition makes it that much worse. When temptations seem to be all around because everyone else is drinking, there are some things you can do to avoid having a relapse and continue moving forward with your addiction recovery goals.
Let other people know about your alcohol addiction. If you’re going to a party, tell someone there that you trust. They will be able to provide encouragement, and if you know someone is keeping an eye on you the temptation to sneak away for a drink may be less. If this isn’t an option, you can take along a friend who already knows about your alcoholism and understands your path to addiction recovery. Another method is to simply let someone know where you’ll be and have them call to check up on you.
If the urge to relapse is severe, it is beneficial to seek some type of professional addiction treatment. This doesn’t have to mean entering into a treatment program or a rehab facility. If you don’t need intense care, you can simply make a couple of appointments with a psychologist who specializes in addiction recovery. You can also see a counselor at a treatment center without joining the whole treatment program there. Alcoholism support groups are another way to find others who will understand. Depending on where you are on the path to recovery, a few sessions may be all you need to stay on the right track.
Finally, stay away from high-risk situations. Avoid going to places where you know alcohol will be readily available. You can schedule other plans ahead of time to keep yourself from going to a party or event where you know there will be alcohol. You can also bring your own non-alcoholic drinks with you.