Christmas is a joyous time for most of us, but it can be a period full of challenges for those suffering from any kind of addiction. Christmas is a time for celebrating, with many using the time as an excuse to drink more than usual. Understandably, this can be a very difficult time for alcoholics, and can cause them to fall off the wagon. Here are just a few ways to help either yourself or someone you know stay sober this Christmas.
Have a strong support network
Shutting yourself away and trying to deal with addiction alone is probably one of the worst things you could do. Feeling lonely and isolated, particularly at Christmas, can often cause you to want to reach for the bottle to ‘make yourself feel better’. Christmas is the time to be around family and friends who want to support you! If you ask them to avoid drinking in front of you, they should understand and be supportive. Or, if you’re struggling more than usual, talk to your sponsor or therapist. Sometimes a simple chat is all you need to get yourself back on track.
Stay busy
Go shopping, visit friends or family, or go and watch some Christmas lights. There are plenty of things you can do this time of year to keep yourself busy and avoid triggering any sort of relapse.
Talk to the people around you
Remember, your friends and family are there to help you, and most importantly, they want to! Talk to them about any fears you may have or anything you think could trigger a relapse so they can help you cope. Talking about any triggers will not only help you, but it will also help them to get a better understanding of your addiction and what they can do to make you feel better.
Take a Break
We understand that stressful situations can be very triggering and are not always avoidable. If you find yourself in this situation go and take a break. Go for a short walk or distance yourself from the problem for a short amount of time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Enjoy Yourself!
The Christmas period shouldn’t be something that you dread, it’s a time for celebration! There are so many wonderful things to enjoy this time of year, so don’t spend it stressing about your addiction. Focussing on it will ruin your festive period, so be sure to take this time to relax with friends and family.
These are just a few tips to help you or a loved one not just get through the Christmas period, but actually enjoy it! If you think you need help battling alcohol addiction, get in touch with our team today and we’ll be happy to help.
