Recovery during the Holiday Season

by: Kamryn Malloy, LPC
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Holidays.... A day known for spending quality time with family members and sharing traditions, can be a challenging times for those in recovery from substance abuse. Our society has normalized excessive use to "celebrate" these special days. "Blackout Wednesday" is the unofficial name given to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving whereas it has become normalized to binge drink to the point of alcohol poisoning (as per the name). It can be very confusing and challenging for those of us in recovery to witness the people around us celebrate and applaud excessive use.

As we step into recovery, during these "holidays", we are reminded of the times where drinking/using was just a normal part of life. It is normal to feel grief and a loss of identity when stepping into recovery as it was such a large part of our life that extended beyond the holidays. Support and connection with others in recovery during this time can be really helpful when navigating triggers and cravings.

Be gentle with yourself as you navigate this season. Practicing mindfulness and creating a relapse prevention plan can be tools in your toolbox. I'll leave you with these questions to explore what a relapse prevention plan could look like.

What are some coping skills I can use when I am triggered/have cravings? Who are support people I can reach out to?
​What are my values and how do I want to connect with others during this holiday season?