How to Overcome the Overwhelm of the Holiday Season and Maintain Addiction Recovery

By Wasatch Crest Alumni Coordinator Madi Banks

Wasatch Crest alumni coordinator, Madi Banks, gives her tips for staying sober during the holidays.

While full of good cheer, the holidays can also be stressful. Attending and hosting holiday parties, budgeting for gifts, dealing with complicated family dynamics, and wanting the holidays to be magical can be overwhelming and put a strain on addiction recovery. However, it’s absolutely possible to maintain sobriety during the holiday season.

FIVE WAYS TO STAY SOBER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Here are five ways to embrace the festivities while also nurturing your recovery:

1. Practice gratitude: Do your best to prepare yourself for unfavorable occurrences that often take place amid the holiday rush. At the same time, try to appreciate any fortunate, pleasant, and joyful moments. In doing so, you’ll be practicing gratitude, which can go a long way in improving your perspective and strengthening your recovery. 
2. Stay connected: During the holidays, it’s common to become too busy to attend regular recovery meetings, reach out to your support network, and spend time with peers in recovery. Try to block out time each week to connect with others in recovery, even if it’s virtually, over the phone, or with a different group of individuals.
3. Care for yourself: During the season of giving, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Whether you make time for physical activity, meditation, journaling, or another self-care activity, take every opportunity to nurture your physical, mental, and emotional health this season. That way, you can be your optimal self for your loved ones and those around you.
4. Practice patience: Many are facing the pressure of the holiday season, which may adversely affect their emotions and behaviors. Extend grace, compassion, and kindness to your loved ones and those around you as they navigate the holiday rush.
5. Seek therapeutic support: The holidays can be hard on recovery. It may be beneficial to consider seeking additional therapeutic support during the season, such as by attending outpatient therapy. Wasatch Crest offers an intensive outpatient program that takes place virtually and during the evenings to accommodate busy schedules. 

ALL-ENCOMPASSING ADDICTION TREATMENT AT WASATCH CREST

If you or someone you know is in need of addiction treatment, reach out. We offer a full continuum of care for every step of the recovery journey.