Here at BTG we talk about the importance of eating good sources of protein for our neurotransmitter health or mood repairing and stabilizing forces. It can be tempting during the holiday to eat a bunch of junk food but it will do nothing for your mood or your cravings. Doing things like skipping a meal, or not https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/abuse-in-older-adults-a-growing-threat/ including protein can lower your resilience or the ability for you to handle what life is throwing at you. These are all fine things to do, but families often don’t know what to do when their new-in-recovery child disappears. In order to avoid misunderstanding, talk these things out with them in advance.
Even if you’re not in the mood to attend a holiday party, surround yourself with people who are healthy and sober. Attend a meeting, call a sponsor, or find supportive friends and family. As mentioned above, the best suggestion is to seek guidance from others who have been in a similar situation before. reframing holidays in early recovery The priority is for the person in early recovery to have the best opportunity to stay sober through the holidays and for the entire family to enjoy this special time together. Every emotionally challenging situation a sober young person is able to face, the stronger his or her recovery will be.
Protecting Sobriety With a Relapse Prevention Plan
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 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.
For individuals who have spent the past year surrounded by sober peers, having to spend this concentrated time home and with those who may not truly understand or respect their sobriety process may be stressful. Heading into the New Year can also be a time of reflection and even sadness about which direction life is going and which milestones a person believes they should have already reached. The holiday season is known to bring about various emotional triggers pertaining to the areas of substance abuse and trauma. While the holidays can increase the availability of substances and bring about stressful social commitments, several other factors can make this time of the year particularly challenging for individuals in recovery. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains “[T]he holiday season is fraught with triggers such as songs, scents, and rituals. Early recovery from substance use disorders brings up a number of new challenges.
Practical Ways To Support Those in Recovery During the Holidays
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.
