While individuals cannot possibly prepare for every trigger they will encounter throughout the holidays, it can help to reflect and identify potential triggers ahead of time. Once those are identified, the therapist will guide you toward new, healthier responses to those triggers. The afternoon is also an excellent time to review things you’ve learned in these sessions to better understand and apply them to your recovery journey. The holiday season revolves around unrelenting themes of gratitude, abundance, and celebration.
Remember not to take temporary for permanent
Be conscious of your evolving needs for emotional and physical space, and give yourself the gift of that space as necessary. During family counseling, your family members will also learn about the dynamics of addiction and how to best support you once you leave the rehab facility. While discussing your life, your choices, and your substance use can be difficult, remember that accurate information will help the staff develop a program best suited for you and your needs.
Evenings In Rehab: 12-Step Meetings
There are many types of substance use treatment programs out there, many of which are designed to treat a wide array of substance use disorders, but most follow a standard framework of therapies and treatment modalities. Make Reframing Holidays in Early Recovery an appointment with a psychotherapist who specializes in addiction and co-occurring disorders before your loved one leaves treatment. If possible, meet with the new therapist virtually, before leaving the treatment facility.
- Learning to survive the holidays without family is a way to learn how to stand on your own.
- The type of support community is not as important as engaging with the group and getting support in the early days of recovery.
- Detox is the process of removing drugs or alcohol from your body after prolonged use.
- Help out where possible, and use the tools that have helped you stay grateful in the past.
- As you’re preparing for holiday challenges in early recovery, we hope these tips give you the guidance you need to remain sober.
Heading Home for the Holidays in Early Recovery
After lunch, you’ll attend another session, such as individual therapy. You may be given free time to choose an activity, such as attending a fitness session if your rehab center has a gym. Physical exercise can help manage mood swings during withdrawal.
- Most individuals will encounter an amalgamation of emotions, including stress, happiness, melancholy, excitement, loneliness, and hope.
- Make plans with your friends in recovery from your sober living facility, your 12-Step or other support meetings, exercise groups, work, or other places you have sober friends.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains “[T]he holiday season is fraught with triggers such as songs, scents, and rituals.
- Some face grief and loneliness more acutely this time of year, while others experience more joy and peace.
- This leads to continuous healing and support when finding a group to belong to after treatment, often found in traditional 12-step communities like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
- When you reach out for help from a professional alcohol and drug rehab program, you begin the first stage of your recovery, treatment initiation.
- For a newly sober person the holiday season can be particularly difficult.
- For people in early recovery, these stressors can be more severe.
- We have tips on how to navigate heading home for the holidays in early recovery, and some tips for family members and friends hosting someone in early recovery this holiday season.
