I am supporting my son who has been using drugs and alcohol for several years, but this year is the first where he is substance and alcohol free. My concern is him relapsing over Christmas, which is a time of the year he has struggled with in the past especially being around family members. I really don’t want him to relapse and go backwards – are there things I need to keep in mind and ways to help him?
The month of December is often a period of festive cheer for most, but it can also be a very testing and vulnerable time for those with an addiction issue or in recovery. Christmas can be a time of the year we associate with family gatherings, parties, buying gifts but also overindulgence with alcohol. This can include being in supermarkets and see alcohol as you come in with the deals to buy it cheaply, and regularly seeing adverts on the TV. The festive period can be a very challenging time where the risk of relapsing is heightened due to increased emotions, personal triggers and more exposure to drugs and alcohol. For someone who is in the midst of their addiction or are in recovery, the Christmas and New Year period can cause increased stress and anxiety. Having a greater awareness these challenges, as well as ways to manage addiction or recovery during Christmas can go a long away to supporting the person you care for.
Challenges Between Addiction and Christmas
There are a number of situations during Christmas and New Year which can be very challenging for those suffering from addiction or currently in recovery, but having an awareness of what these challenges are can be helpful for all involved.
Heightened drug and alcohol exposure – Christmas is known for excessive overindulgence even for drugs and alcohol. It can feel very hard to avoid being exposed which can be a trigger, bringing back old memories or trauma which might be linked to addiction, increasing the risk of experiencing cravings or relapsing.
Isolation – Due to the high level of exposure some may experience during the festive period, many addicts will attempt to isolate themselves, avoiding exposure to situations where they know drugs and alcohol will be used as it heightens the risk of vulnerability. However, loneliness can be a contributing factor towards substance abuse which in turn poses a risk for further consumption.
Family contact – for the majority of us the Christmas period involves seeing multiple family members and this can be stressful and pressurising. Whether you have an unsupportive family network, unresolved issues with family members or don’t feel you can be yourself around them, exposure to these situations can be
emotionally overwhelming. This can be a major trigger to use drugs and alcohol to manage anxiety and stress levels, but also a way to self-medicate difficult emotions.
Christmas pressure – There are many pressures we associate with the festive period; expectations can be high about having a fantastic time, but also the financial pressure of buying gifts. This is unrealistic for most, yet placing unnecessary pressure on ourselves can in turn make addiction and recovery during the Christmas period a very challenging mix.
Heightened emotions – Christmas can be an emotional time where we think about family and friends who may no longer be with us, or may not on talking terms. If the person’s drug and alcohol use is linked to their emotions, managing and experiencing cravings can be harder to control and resist
Managing Addiction and Recover During the Festive Period.
Not all situations during Christmas can be controlled, but with a greater awareness of the triggers and some forward planning to manage the festive period can help everyone involved.
Plan your Christmas period – Planning is very important throughout the festive period – Everyday life through to addiction recovery, requires planning. Planning can reduce high-risk situations, to prevent relapse and to maintain a positive lifestyle. Throughout the Christmas period, this level of planning should remain, ensuring the person with the addiction keeps in control of their recovery efforts.
Think rationally when making decisions – It’s easy to get carried away during the festive period. Behaviours are commonly justified by the fact that the norm will change for Christmas. When it comes to making decisions , it’s important to think rationally, while prioritising a desire to remain sober.
Associate yourself with positive, healthy coping strategies – Avoiding negativity, stress, judgment, and highly influential settings are recommended, but associating yourself with positive, healthy coping strategies can act as a distraction, a comfort blanket and as a progressive tool. Having these in place will ease your experience at Christmas.
Avoid the Christmas influence – “It’s Christmas” is an excuse for most. Avoid the influence of this excuse, which can hinder your recovery journey. The inevitable Christmas pressure and addiction can for many, be a recipe for disaster. Set your intentions, communicate them to others and remaining true to yourself is important. Try attending an alcohol free party if possible.
Keep grounded – Christmas is an overwhelming time which can influence change for many. By keeping yourself grounded, by avoiding change, and by observing situations beforehand, you’ll have the opportunity to avoid your personal triggers.
Please note that this information is correct at the time of publication
