The holidays are coming. And, with that comes stress, frustration, and, in some cases, the risk for high-risk triggers for a person with a substance use disorder (SUD). The reality is, even as everyone else seems to be celebrating, you may find it downright hard to mask just how tough things are right now.
When you’re facing increased stress of the holidays and you have an SUD, having a few strategies to pull yourself out of the difficult moments can prove critical. At Iron Bridge Recovery Center, we offer numerous ways for you to get back on track.
You’re Not Alone Facing Stress During the Holidays
Most people feel stress during the holidays for various reasons. Some worry about the financials of the holidays. Others need to overcome the challenges of trauma from past experiences. Still others experience pressure to host the perfect event. No matter what the underlying cause of your stress is, knowing how to deal with it to take the pressure off is an essential part of long-term drug and alcohol recovery. These strategies can help you.
Set Low Limits This Year
Often, the stress you feel may be directly related to your own thoughts and beliefs about the holidays and what they “should” be. Pull yourself away from high expectations this year. Aim to limit your responsibilities and expectations.
- Don’t go to all of the holiday parties this year.
- Reduce the number of people who will depend on you this year.
- Recognize that it’s not about “more” as much as it’s about “quality” experiences.
You may want to limit gifts to a smaller group of people. If you know that there will be demands on you for celebrating, find a compromise. Maybe you can stop by for a few hours and, instead of sticking around, you spend the rest of the day volunteering.
Recognize the Risks of Trauma
Holiday-associated trauma is a real thing. It occurs when you experience a negative emotional response to an event that happened around the holidays in the past. Other times, the trauma may become more evident to you because of who you surround yourself with during the holidays. Consider these strategies for dealing with holiday-related traumas that could put you at risk for SUD relapse.
- Focus on your self-care during the holidays. Eat, sleep, and get exercise as you need. These are grounding techniques that help you navigate beyond the trauma-heavy moments.
- Recognize your body’s way of warning you of a trauma response. You may not be thinking about the exposure, but your heart rate is elevated, and you’re feeling anxious about the experience.
- Find a way to do something healthy for yourself and the community. Fill that void and focus on trauma and pain with something positive. Engage in the community or reach out to an old friend.
Remember that in situations where your triggers are causing you to feel overwhelmed or think about using alcohol or drugs, you should immediately reach out to your mentors or head to a meeting. You can also contact Iron Bridge for immediate help.
Change Things Up Completely This Year
If the stress of the holidays is due, at least in part, to your memories of using alcohol or drugs, make this year a brand-new, fresh start. Create new traditions that may have nothing to do with the things you used to engage in. You may want to consider:
- Finding a new group of people to spend time with, especially on the holidays. Family isn’t your only option. Get involved in a religious organization, community event, or head back to your addiction treatment center to be a part of the group again.
- Have a forward-focusing holiday. Instead of looking back, make this the time of the year that you start looking forward to the next weeks with positive expectations.
- Put your time and effort into yourself this year. Make it a gift to yourself. That meaningless gift you’re spending money on isn’t as important to your loved one as your health.
It’s not simple to start something new. Yet, when the pain of the past is simply too much, starting over can be the ideal way to avoid the risk of having to return to rehab for relapse.
Put Our Chester, Virginia Team on Your To-Call List
Iron Bridge Recovery Center offers a strong dedication to our clients throughout the year. When you’re facing difficulties during the holiday season, know that we have the resources and supportive services you need to make a difference. Contact us now to learn how we can help you.
