The Holidays & Recovery The holiday season is around the corner and for individuals in recovery from addiction, it can be a very difficult time of year. Whether it is the added stress of planning and travel, pressure to drink at social events, or loneliness and grief related to loss or disconnection, there are many things that make it more challenging to stay sober. Here are a few strategies to support yourself or a loved one who is in recovery this holiday season:- Make a plan. Before any holiday event or activity, create a plan for yourself to handle any triggers. This could include attending the event with a supportive sober person, attending a twelve step or other support group before or after, driving yourself to the event so you can leave when needed, or any other support. Don’t be afraid to leave early if you need it.
- Try giving back. If you are struggling with loneliness or disconnection over the holidays, there are many ways to volunteer that can help you connect. There are also lots of other benefits to charity and volunteer work. Whether it is serving a meal at a local shelter or assisting with a toy drive, it can help fill your time and boost your mood.
- Know your triggers and limits. One of the biggest parts of relapse prevention is knowing the people, places, or situations that are likely to be a trigger for use. Planning for those triggers can help you feel more empowered, and it is also important to know your limits. If there are certain triggers that make it very difficult to maintain sobriety, it may be best to avoid them – even if that means missing a holiday event.
- Take care of yourself. Self-care is important to supporting your overall wellbeing, but it also helps us be more resilient and more able to manage strong emotions. By ensuring that you are sleeping enough, eating well, and engaging in some physical activity, you can set yourself up for success. Self-care also means taking time to do things you enjoy and connecting with those that are supportive of your sobriety.
The holidays can bring a lot of complicated feelings and stress for many and for those in recovery, it can be that much more difficult. If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction or would like support maintaining sobriety, help is available. Mental health professionals can help provide support and tools for recovery. National Mentoring Day (10/27/2023) On October 27th, we celebrate National Mentoring Day to recognize the powerful role of mentors. Mentors help us learn new skills, grow our business, or simply build confidence in ourselves. The best mentors encourage us to chase our dreams and provide support in getting there. This year, you can celebrate this day in a few ways:- Celebrate a mentor in your life. If there is someone that has provided you with mentorship, this is a great opportunity to let them know how much you appreciate them. Expression of gratitude feels good for the one giving as well as the one receiving.
- Give some of your time. Anyone can be a mentor! We all have skills and strengths that we can share with others. Spend some time this month teaching others or providing support and guidance. This could be in an official capacity or simply teaching a loved one a new skill. Mentoring benefits the mentor as well as the mentee. It can help us build confidence and provide a connection with others.
“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” — Steven Spielberg | 
