How to Support a Loved One in Recovery During the Holidays

Drug and alcohol recovery is a lifelong process that requires commitment, a sound support system, and trigger avoidance for success. Unfortunately, the holidays often bring on stress and other triggers that make the recovery process complicated.

If you have a loved one going through drug or alcohol recovery, supporting them during the holidays is crucial to their success. At the Victory Treatment Program in Knoxville, Tennessee, Stacey Maltman, FNP-BC, and her team support groups and outpatient detox for drug and alcohol addiction.

She's an experienced addiction specialist walking you and your loved one through the steps of getting through the holidays successfully while staying sober.

How the holidays affect recovery

The holidays are a time of family get-togethers, parties, and fun for most – but for others, they're lonely and full of stress and triggers. They are especially stressful for people going through drug and alcohol recovery and their families.

It's difficult enough to overcome drug or alcohol dependence, but even more so over the holidays. Although the upcoming festivities are exciting, they can be highly stressful and lonely, which can trigger a relapse.

The holidays may also disrupt your routine, leading to changes in support group meetings or work schedules that negatively impact the recovery process. It's also easy to feel lonely or isolated, which may also send someone in recovery into relapse.

Alcohol and drugs may be present at holiday parties and gatherings, which expose your loved one to temptation and hinder the recovery process. The combination of stress, triggers, and changes in routine can spell disaster for someone going through recovery without the proper support system.

Support tips during the holidays

Having a loved one in recovery during the holidays can be challenging, but it's not impossible. It's crucial to be their support system during the busiest and most stressful time of the year.

Knowing how to support your loved one over the upcoming holiday season is critical to their recovery. We offer the following tips to ensure they stay sober with your help, and they include:

Communicate well

Communication is the key to keeping your loved one sober over the holidays. Try not to assume how they feel; instead, ask them questions and keep communication open whenever they need to talk.

Ask what may cause them stress or trigger a relapse so you can avoid potentially triggering situations.

Reduce holiday pressures

Reducing pressure on your loved one is a crucial aspect of being supportive over the holidays. Make sure you convey that it's okay to decline an invitation or skipping specific gatherings or activities is entirely acceptable.

Easing pressure on your loved one ensures open communication. It gives them space to avoid things that could interrupt their recovery.

Promote physical and mental well-being

The holidays can bring on physical and mental stress, loneliness, and sadness, which can all send someone into a relapse. Please encourage them to engage in self-care activities, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and participation in support groups.

Self-care is extremely critical over the busy holiday season to ensure they stay on track with their recovery.

Educate others about recovery

Others may not understand what you and your loved one are going through, which makes it difficult during family and friend gatherings. Educate your family and friends about the recovery process to prevent others from causing unnecessary stress.

Encourage healthy relationships

The best way to support your loved one is to find someone they can relate to. Encourage them to spend some time with a friend who is also going through recovery. It's incredible how camaraderie and going through a similar situation can bring people together and help them be successful.

Acknowledge their efforts

Acknowledging your loved one's efforts is a great way to keep them positive during the next few months. Telling them that you're proud of their success and sobriety may be just what they need to overcome distractions and triggers over the busiest time of the year.

To ensure your loved one stays on track, don't hesitate to contact the Victory Treatment Program today to discuss our recovery program or visit our website to learn more.