7 Tips for Dealing With Holiday Addiction Triggers

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, College bowl games — no matter what you celebrate, ‘tis the season for celebrating with friends and family. Whether you’re new to sobriety or you have a few years under your belt, navigating the holidays in recovery can be challenging.

There are more than 20 million people experiencing substance use disorders in the United States, and many are trying to move forward, clean and sober. Every day is tough, but holidays are another hurdle. In fact, 3 out of 5 Americans feel that the holidays have a negative impact on their mental health.

To help you get through the holidays without triggering your addiction, substance use disorder and mental health specialist Wendy Ann Reiss pulled together a few great tips.

1. Have an escape plan

This is one of the most important tips for staying clean and sober through the holidays — feel free to leave. Don’t feel any pressure to be the first to arrive or the last to leave. Instead, let your comfort level dictate your presence.

For example, stay for an hour or two, but once people really start pouring the drinks, it’s a good time to go.

2. Stay connected

Whether you’re part of a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, or you have a friend or two in recovery, it’s essential to stay connected with people in recovery going through the same things you are during the holidays.

3. Move a muscle

If you find yourself in a negative headspace, one of the best ways to get out is to physically move. If you start thinking about drinking or using or you feel a craving, just get up and go for a walk. This movement changes the chemicals in your brain away from addiction.

4. Be kind to yourself

Take some time over the holidays to give yourself a little treat. Take a long bath, sit and read a book, or buy yourself something nice — the holidays are for giving, so make sure you’re on the list.

5. Volunteer

Staying in gratitude is a great way to steer clear of self-pity and the other traps that can lead to relapse. Volunteering at a toy drive or soup kitchen is a great way to remember gratitude. Helping those in need can provide valuable perspective.

6. Don’t lose yourself in joy

As much as the down times can lead to relapse, so can the good times. Maybe you find yourself feeling great and strong, and you think, what can one drink hurt? But, as the first step back toward imprisoning yourself in a substance use disorder, one drink can hurt a good deal.

So, yes, be merry, but not so merry that you throw away your hard-fought sobriety.

7. Lean on us

Feel free to lean on us for help before, during, and after the holidays. We can provide counseling, ensure your medications are current, and provide you with some tools to use over the holidays, such as deep breathing exercises.

If you’d like help coming up with a great holiday plan to sidestep your triggers, call us at 908-386-5112 or book an appointment online today. Telepsychiatry appointments are available.