Maintaining Your Sobriety and Avoiding Holiday Relapses

If you are a recovering addict, you may be spending your holidays away from your addiction recovery support system and sober routines. This can make you more vulnerable to relapse. But there are effective ways you can prepare for this challenging season. Maybe take an online drug and alcohol course and use these top three practical tips to help you avoid relapse and stay sober during the holidays and beyond.

Have Sober Strategies in Place

Develop plans ahead of any holiday event that could potentially trigger relapse to substance abuse. This may mean attending a Twelve Step meeting before or after the event or making sure you can leave gatherings at any time and are not dependent on anyone for transportation.

Adjust Your Attitude

Talk with your sponsor, an addiction expert, or a professional counselor about the expectations you have around the holidays. An online drug and alcohol course may advise recovering addicts to do this if replaying childhood memories during this time of year.

Avoid Known Risks

If you know Aunt Camilla is going to grill you about rehab, avoid her. If Uncle Stan will try to mix you a stiff drink, stay away from him. If the office party is all about drinking, make a brief appearance, or don't attend. It is unrealistic to think you can soldier through all of these events.

 

Anger Management Tips for the Holiday Season

Many people spend the holiday season with extended family. While the holidays are meant to be a time to enjoy your family, spending time with extended family, some of whom you may not have seen for a while, can bring back past resentments and grievances, which can lead to anger. You may find that online anger management courses are an excellent resource, particularly if you struggle with anger management issues.

So how can you prepare for managing anger during this time of year so that you’re involved in the next family feud?

1.     Start with being careful with the amount of alcohol you consume. Drinking often contributes to conflict and aggression. If you’re in control, you can avoid many of your triggers.

2. Budget. Decide how much money you can afford to spend this holiday season and stick to it. Excess spending is one of the triggers taught in online anger management courses that may get you angrier.

3. Do not over-schedule yourself. Manage your time by planning and set aside specific days or times for each task to be done. Then give yourself even more extra time.

4. You may also need to adjust your expectations. Things may unfold differently from how you have planned them. You are only with your family for a short time, so try to relax.

5. Avoid being pulled into unnecessary arguments. Just don’t get involved. Who cares who opens gifts first? You don’t need to be involved in minor family spats.