The holiday season is infamous for being a time of over-indulgence, and recovering alcoholics often feel the heat, not only from summer temperatures, but also from the pressure of remaining abstinent. The festive season is a difficult time for alcoholics as it presents many situations where uncomfortable emotions arise and opportunities for relapse are abound.
Here are five tips for staying Sober during the festive season:
1. Work your 12 Step programme
A 12 Step programme offers alcoholics everything they need to stay Sober. If you apply yourself to your 12 Step fellowship, you will get through the holidays Sober, serene, and able to enjoy the excitement of the festive period.
2. Pick up the phone
If you find yourself craving drugs or alcohol, call someone immediately. By the time the conversation has ended, the feeling will most likely have passed. Make sure that you have important numbers saved and that you always have airtime to make a call in case you begin to experience a craving.
3. Have an escape plan
The holiday season sometimes seems like one party after another. If you feel unstable and vulnerable in your sobriety, turn down an invitation. Your sobriety is worth more than a disappointed host. For those functions you cannot excuse yourself from, have a ‘plan B’. This means that if you feel your sobriety may be in danger, make sure you can leave and get to a safe place. Keep your phone on you so you can call someone immediately and arrange to meet with them to talk through the craving.
4. Be good to yourself
Late nights, sunburn, dehydration, over-indulgence: these all take their toll on a person’s body, leaving them tired, irritable and depressed. These conditions are not conducive to remaining abstinent from drugs. Recovery is about treating yourself well, so make sure you get enough sleep, eat properly, drink enough fluids and generally look after your body. Physical wellness increases happy feelings and decreases cravings.
5. Don’t panic
This part is simple but difficult: Relax. You got into recovery to get your life back on track, not to live like a hermit, afraid of seeing anyone for fear you might relapse. This doesn’t mean that painting the town red is good idea. It simply means that if you are suddenly faced with an uncomfortable situation, empower yourself by realising that you have a choice as to whether to use or not, and that you are making healthy choices – choices that don’t include alcohol or drugs.
Mark Bowey, addictions counsellor at Oasis Counselling Centre says, "The festive season is a high-risk period for recovering alcoholics. But many stay Sober because, in working a 12 Step programme, they get incredible support, tools and an outlook on life that helps them to be a part of society, without having to use."
Oasis Counselling Centre