Managing Alcohol Addiction During The Holidays

4 WAYS TO NAVIGATE RECOVERY THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Elijah Hall / Unsplash

A version of this article was originally published by Mental Health America. 

2020 has been a tough year for everyone, especially if you’re someone who has struggled (or are currently struggling) with addiction. We now have the holidays approaching, and navigating sobriety over the next few months just became that much harder. You may be celebrating with family or friends or feeling isolated and lonely. Either way, you may be feeling a huge temptation to drink.

This holiday season is full of both highs and lows, but it’s important to remember to take some time for yourself and prioritize your addiction recovery. 

1. Set boundaries and stick to them

Boundaries are incredibly important to recovery. They’re an invisible line that we do not want crossed, either by ourselves or others. Creating these boundaries helps us feel safe and protected. If being around your family isn’t good for your mental health, consider arranging your own transportation and leaving early, or if it makes more sense, simply skipping the gathering altogether. This may feel harsh but setting boundaries (and sticking to them) does get easier over time. Especially in early recovery, you have to put yourself and your recovery first, so you can build the foundation to be there for your family later. 

2. There’s no reason to explain yourself

If you don’t want to drink, don’t. It doesn’t matter if a family member offers you a drink or how much they protest when you refuse — you’ve already decided you’re not going to cross that line. Likewise, you don’t have to explain your choice to be sober. You can say, “No thank you,” or “I’m not drinking today,” and leave it at that. You don’t have to explain yourself. You are doing what’s best for you and your mental health, and that’s all that matters. 

3. Prioritize your self-care routine

If you’ve found a routine beneficial, whether it’s meditating in the morning, a specific exercise schedule, or going to bed by a certain time, don’t let the holidays interrupt the things that help you feel grounded. If this means waking up a little earlier than everyone else so you can get in that morning walk, be sure to plan accordingly. Likewise, if you need to get some sleep, or if you just need some quiet time on your own, it’s totally okay to turn in early. The holidays can be exhausting! 

4. Stay connected with your sober network

Keep in touch with people who understand and empathize with your situation. Call or text a sober friend, attend a recovery meeting, have a book or podcast on sobriety at the ready. It helps bring us out of isolation and it keeps us on the hook for our actions (in a good way). Many folks in recovery have a hard time during the holidays, so reaching out to a friend can be just as beneficial to them as it is to you. There are many online recovery groups available where you can connect with other people who are in the same boat. 

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Above all, your mental health needs to be your first priority. If you’re in a crisis and need someone to talk to, especially over the next few weeks, text IDM to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line.