Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year but for those in recovery with an alcohol addiction, it can be one of the most difficult periods filled with temptations and triggers which put their recovery at risk.
Christmas parties typically involve lots of booze and it’s common for people to give gifts of wine, beer and spirits, making it very difficult to avoid these types of triggers. With Christmas parties, family gatherings and other festive activities taking place over the winter period, almost two-thirds of adults in the UK claim they over indulge on alcohol during this time.
How to Avoid Relapsing this Christmas
Know Your Triggers
It can help to know your triggers so you can plan ahead and have effective measures in place to help you avoid a relapse.
Common triggers include:
- Stress and anxiety
- Complacency
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Exhaustion
- Excuses and Enabling
- Family Conflict
- Finances
- Relationships
- Self-Pity
- Guilt and Shame
Remember The Skills You Learnt in Rehab
Fill your mind with recovery related material such as effective coping methods and CBT strategies.
Set Boundaries
If you’re worried that you might be tempted to drink during the festive period, it may be worth avoiding events such as office parties if you know there will be lots of alcohol involved and no one there to help you manage your urges.
Have a Positive Mindset
Many people in recovery often feel like they’re missing out on the Christmas celebrations when they’re unable to have a drink. Instead of seeing it like this, think more about what Christmas means to you. If it means spending time with your family then feel good in the knowledge that without the alcohol, you’ll be able to focus on making great lasting memories with your family this year.
Create a Supportive Circle
The people you surround yourself with can seriously impact your sobriety. Surrounding yourself with people who love to binge drink and do drugs at parties probably aren’t the best people to be around at this time of year. Instead, try to find a sober buddy, or someone you know you can trust to not tempt you into drinking.
Remember Why You Stopped Drinking
If you’re starting to feel tempted, take a step back and remember why you gave up drinking in the first place. Was it having a negative effect on your daily life and friends? Was your health suffering as a result? Keep this in mind every time you think about drinking.
Let People Know You Won’t Be Drinking
We understand that not many people feel confident opening up about their alcohol addiction, especially to those who aren’t close family and friends, however, you don’t have to tell people about your addiction to tell them you won’t be drinking.
Many people stop drinking for a number of reasons, from looking out for their health, saving money or dieting or even being the designated driver. By telling people in advance that you don’t plan to drink, they will be less likely to encourage you or buy alcoholic drinks for you.
Be Kind to Yourself
Christmas is a time for celebrating with the people we love, so avoid being too hard on yourself if you experience cravings or feelings of negativity. Remember how far you have come and be proud of that.
Get the Right Kind of Support
If you’re really struggling to resist the urges to drink or you feel you may be at risk of a relapse, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your recovery practitioner at Acquiesce.
