Fighting Addiction Relapse at Christmas

Fighting addiction relapse at Christmas can be difficult, as the large number of social events, overeating and heavy drinking that are associated with Christmas can make addiction recovery difficult to maintain, especially for those in recent recovery.

For the average person, optimal sleep, healthy eating, exercise, and self-care will go out of the window during the festive period. For those who are recovering addicts, many of these factors that shift during the Christmas period are coping strategies to maintain recovery and wellbeing. Due to this, Christmas can make addiction recovery extremely difficult and threaten a number of relapse triggers.

While many may have the pleasure to overindulge or spend their festive period intoxicated, this isn’t the case for recovering addicts, and exposure to drinking and social events can make maintaining sobriety very difficult. Fighting addiction relapse at Christmas is a huge challenge which requires willpower, family support and relapse prevention planning to help former addicts avoid relapse.

While it may feel like a good idea in the moment to partake in your usual Christmas traditions such as drinking alcohol, it won’t be, and threatening your sobriety during the festive period can have a negative impact on your health and recovery.

Christmas is a true test of sobriety due to the threat of addiction relapse. Fight addiction relapse by maintaining a positive lifestyle, starting your own traditions, and reaching out to loved ones for support and help during the holiday period. For support around fighting addiction relapse this Christmas, you can also contact our team at Cassiobury Court, as our addiction recovery specialists can help you stay sober at Christmas.

Christmas is a magical time and can still be enjoyed sober. Find out more about the challenges of fighting relapse at Christmas and how to manage relapse triggers here.

Relapse at Christmas – the reality of addiction recovery

Addiction recovery is a life-changing time that provides a great opportunity to change. There are many positive encounters linked to the recovery journey, which can drive the motivation to remain sober. Yet, there is also a negative side to addiction recovery which can make holidays such as Christmas especially difficult.

The true reality of addiction recovery resembles a rollercoaster. Emotions can be all over the place, mental health states can be up and down, and decisions can soon become irrational. Through addiction recovery, there will always be some high-risk situations known as relapse triggers which can make the journey even harder. Christmas can be a huge trigger for recovering addicts, as socialising and alcohol are often very common during the period.

For most, addiction relapse risks will be linked to any form of drug and alcohol exposure, to environmental and social influences, or to pre-existing triggers. Yet, for others, events just like Christmas can make the reality of addiction recovery that much harder.

Social gatherings are a common trigger, as drug and alcohol-enabled environments such as family or friend get-togethers, the pressures caused by Christmas, emotions linked to the festive period, and change in lifestyle choices are all Christmas celebrations that can make fighting addiction relapse at Christmas hard.

It’s easy to see how fighting addiction relapse at Christmas can be very challenging, especially as how unhealthy the Christmas period is for the majority of people. Yet, by maintaining your recovery, Christmas can still be enjoyed whilst fighting addiction relapse risks, cravings and triggers.

Tips for Fighting Addiction Relapse During Christmas

If you’ve progressed through addiction rehab and reached the other side, you’ve achieved something which will benefit your future.

Throughout the festive period, it is important to remember that commitment to recovery and relapse prevention must continue, whether it is Christmas or not. Spanning over a few days of celebration, Christmas will come and go, yet your ongoing security of sober living will not pass by that easily.

With this in mind, follow the below tips to support you in fighting addiction relapse at Christmas. You can also see more tips to avoid relapse at Christmas here. Help yourself live for the future, and not just for Christmas.

Plan out your Christmas period
Commonly, alcohol and group festivities will last 1-2 weeks over Christmas. At the same time every year, spending some time planning out your Christmas celebrations is recommended to help you manage sobriety. By making sure that you have plenty of activities and people to keep you busy, falling victim of cravings and of relapse risks will be unlikely.

Be honest with yourself
You know yourself better than anyone else. If you have a gut instinct or feel like a situation is a high relapse risk, you must be honest with yourself and those around you. Do not place yourself in a high-risk situation for the sake of others.

This is how fighting addiction relapse at Christmas is possible, especially when focusing on the influence of social gatherings.

Reduce exposure to your triggers
You’ll have knowledge of your personal triggers which are most likely to be relapse risks. Understanding them, communicating your addiction triggers to others, and reducing your exposure as much as possible is recommended. For example, spending your time in a heavy drinking environment is not recommended if you want th best chance of staying sober over Christmas.

Rely on those around you and your relapse prevention plan
Christmas is a time to spend with your loved ones. However, it’s important that you spend the time with those who support you, who you can trust, and who also appreciate what you’re going through. A strong support network, along with your own relapse prevention plan should help you through high-risk addiction relapse risks at Christmas.

Focus on drug and alcohol-free celebrations
This may feel like a hard step, however, there are many drug and alcohol-free celebrations to consider. Spend your time around those who do not rely on drugs or alcohol, involve yourself in positive, healthy and giving activities.

Know your feelings and limits
You will have an understanding of your limits and feelings. Allow them to guide you this Christmas, helping you decide on your next best step. If you feel like a relapse is likely, it’s time to act quickly by reaching out for professional support or speaking to loved ones.

Prioritise your lifestyle
It’s likely that your current routine is helping you fight addiction relapse risks. Prioritising that exact routine will help you maintain a positive lifestyle and avoid the common negative influences of Christmas.

While you may feel isolated, it’s important that you think about yourself and your current coping strategies. Following the above steps will help you avoid the negative impact of isolation this Christmas, fighting addiction relapse risks even greater.

Relapse support here at Cassiobury Court

By following the above tips, fighting addiction relapse at Christmas can be a realistic goal. It’s understandable that you will want to celebrate and feel involved, but putting yourself and your recovery first is the best way to avoid relapse at Christmas.

Unfortunately, relapse risks are present for all in recovery, especially through high-risk periods such as Christmas.

Yet, by controlling your time, environment, actions and decisions, you can overcome the already influential period of drug and alcohol consumption.

If you’re looking for relapse support and unsure how to fight addiction relapse in detail, or if you require immediate addiction support, contact our team at Cassiobury Court.

Making proactive choices now can benefit your Christmas experiences for this year and for the future.