The holiday season is the time for family gatherings, parties, and festivities. It is the joyous time of the year for most people, but for someone recovering from addiction, this season means pressure.
The holiday season means lots of social gatherings. Ironically, recovering individuals feel more isolated. It is colder and darker during this time, so it is challenging to stay sober.
Here at Skyward Treatment, we have helpful tips to support a recovering loved one during the holidays. So we listed them for you in this blog.
Offer a Helping Hand
A good listener is what a recovering person needs. They may be hesitant at first, but be proactive. Let them feel that you listen.
Ask them to tell you any request they want to lessen the pressure of holiday gatherings. Take the initiative to ask how you can help with their sobriety journey, for instance, by keeping them away from alcohol or mediating a heated conversation between family members.
Give Encompassing Support
A supportive family and friends can do wonders. It is vital for recovering individuals to feel the support from people around them. Let them know that they can count on you and that you support their recovery journey.
It is okay if they feel increased pressure during this season. Remind them, that their feelings are valid.
Hold Them Accountable
While it is crucial to give them full support, you also need to hold them responsible for their actions. The holiday season is a joyous one, but it doesn’t mean overindulging in alcohol that will lead to relapse.
Talk to Family Members and Friends
Talk to family members and friends beforehand. Be honest that your loved one might feel the pressure of the holiday season. Remind them about conversation topics, jokes, and behavior that may trigger something from your recovering loved one.
Lessen The Holiday Pressure
While everyone might feel the holiday pressure, it is different for someone recovering from addiction. Big gatherings, excessive socialization, and too much responsibility is taxing for someone recovering.
You can reduce the pressure by organizing a smaller gathering that feels relaxed and comfortable interacting with each other.
Reduce Financial Burden
The holidays are the expensive season of the year. To someone recovering and attending treatment, this poses a financial burden.
Try to lessen the financial burden by setting up gatherings that don’t hurt finances. Not just for your recovering loved one but also for everybody else. Consider setting a budget limit to exchange gifts and a more intimate gathering. If you can, try to cover travel expenses for your recovering loved one.
More Help at Skyward Treatment
The holiday season can be taxing, but at Skyward Treatment we can make it easy for your loved one, not just during the holiday season, but all year round.
We have Outpatient Treatment Program and Intensive Outpatient Program that serves patients from Dallas, Texas.
If you want to learn more about our treatments and programs, you can contact us today!