The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and creating memories, but for some families, it also brings stress, uncertainty, and emotional strain. For those struggling with substance use, the holidays can be particularly challenging, often filled with triggering situations and feelings of isolation. As a family member or loved one, it can be difficult to watch someone you care about navigate addiction. However, this season may be the perfect time to encourage them to seek treatment and begin a journey toward healing—not just for themselves, but for the entire family.
Why the Holidays May Be the Most Healing Time
While we often associate the holidays with festivities, this time of year also invites reflection. As the year winds down, many people naturally assess their lives and consider their personal goals. For those struggling with substance use, this period can mark a turning point—a time when they might be more receptive to the idea of change. Encouraging a loved one to seek help during this season can provide them with the support and structure they need to take the first steps toward recovery.
Holidays often bring family members together, creating opportunities to reconnect, communicate, and support one another. In the context of addiction, family plays a critical role in the healing process. Substance use affects not only the individual but also their loved ones. Seeking treatment during the holidays can allow the entire family to enter the new year with renewed hope, unity, and an opportunity for lasting change.
Levels of Care: Meeting Your Loved One’s Unique Needs
Understanding the various levels of addiction treatment can help families find the right type of support for their loved one. Treatment options are typically designed to meet individuals at different stages of recovery, with each level offering specific types of care based on the severity of their needs. Here’s an overview of the main levels of care available:
- Social Detoxification: Social detox, or non-medical detox, is typically recommended for individuals who do not require intensive medical monitoring during withdrawal. In a social detox setting, clients receive emotional and psychological support from trained staff in a safe environment without the use of medication. This form of detox focuses on creating a calm, supportive setting that helps manage symptoms of withdrawal naturally. Social detox is often appropriate for those with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms and may include support groups, counseling, and other therapeutic activities to help individuals through the initial stages of sobriety.
- Medical Detoxification (Detox): For individuals with moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms, medical detox offers 24/7 medical supervision to safely manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal. This type of detox is essential for people with higher levels of dependency or withdrawal risks, as it provides medical intervention if symptoms become severe. Medical detox helps stabilize individuals and prepare them for continued treatment.
- Residential/Inpatient Treatment: For those who require intensive, structured care, residential treatment provides a supportive environment that removes them from potential triggers. This level of care typically includes a combination of therapy, counseling, and education aimed at addressing the root causes of addiction, allowing individuals to focus solely on recovery without external distractions.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)/ Day Treatment: PHP or day treatment serves as a bridge between inpatient and outpatient care. It is often suited for individuals who have completed a residential program or need more structure than traditional outpatient care. PHP offers several hours of therapy and support each day, with clients returning home or to a sober living environment in the evenings.
Related: What Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?
Related: What Is Transitional Living?
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): For individuals who need ongoing support while balancing other responsibilities like work, school, or family commitments, IOP provides flexibility while ensuring necessary recovery support. IOP typically involves fewer hours of treatment than PHP but continues to offer structure, accountability, and therapeutic resources.
Related: Wasatch Crest’s Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program: Recovery on Your Terms
Each level of care plays an essential role in creating a comprehensive recovery plan, forming what’s known as a continuum of care. The value of this continuum lies in its flexibility and adaptability to meet individuals at their current stage in recovery, gradually easing them into greater independence and stability. As individuals progress through detox, residential treatment, PHP, IOP, and outpatient care, they build skills and resilience at each step, receiving the right support at the right time. This seamless transition through levels of care ensures that clients have consistent guidance and support, significantly enhancing their chances of achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety. A continuum of care not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters a foundation for sustainable recovery.
Encouraging Your Loved One to Seek Help
Starting a conversation about seeking treatment can be challenging, but approaching it with love, empathy, and understanding is essential. Here are a few tips for encouraging your loved one to take that first step:
- Express Concern, Not Judgment: Let them know you care about their well-being and are concerned for their health and happiness. Avoid blame or criticism; instead, focus on how treatment can help them live a healthier life.
- Be Supportive, Not Forceful: Encourage them to consider treatment, but respect their pace. Assure them that you will support them through every step of the process.
- Offer Resources: Help them explore treatment options and let them know that Wasatch Crest is here to offer compassionate care. Provide information about the levels of care available and how treatment can fit into their life.
- Be Patient: Recovery is a process, and it may take time for your loved one to come to terms with the need for treatment. Stay patient and continue offering your support, even if they’re not ready to seek help immediately.
Related: Family Support For Substance Use: Navigating a Loved One’s Addiction and Recovery — Q&A
Holiday Healing For the Whole Family at Wasatch Crest
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation, and family support is a vital part of the recovery journey. Wasatch Crest offers family-centered care with resources designed to involve and educate loved ones on how to support their family member in recovery.
Through family therapy, education, and counseling, we create a safe space for families to communicate openly and rebuild trust. Our team works closely with families to address the impact addiction has had on their relationships, helping them build healthier ways of interacting. We also provide resources to help families understand the nature of addiction, manage their own emotions, and establish boundaries that support a healthy recovery environment.
Related: Setting Healthy Holiday-Season Boundaries and Strengthening Your Seasonal Spirit
The holiday season can be a time of transformation, a time when families come together to heal and support one another. Encouraging a loved one to seek treatment during this time offers them the chance to overcome addiction and provides the entire family with an opportunity to experience healing. At Wasatch Crest, we are committed to providing the care and support your loved one needs to begin their recovery journey. Let this holiday season be the start of a new chapter filled with hope, healing, and lasting change. Reach out to learn more.Â
