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Get Sober During the Holidays
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Where to Get Sober During the Holidays

An excruciating time of year is always the holiday season. During this time, there is always an influx of people entering Recovery Homes, Treatment Centers, and Outpatient Treatment/Counselling programs. Getting sober during the holidays is a hyper-emotional time. The families want nothing more than for their loved one to get sober.  On the other hand, most addicts wish to be with their families more than anything during this time. The communication between the two parties will significantly benefit from a neutral mediator to guide this life-changing time.

Addiction During the Holidays

Unfortunately, a primary reason people use it is that they cannot handle the emotional turmoil inside. This, from my experience, can create a need to increase addictive behaviour and an ongoing cycle of self-defeating behaviours to drown out the pain. When, in reality, all I ever wanted was to feel the love and joy of my family again, the guilt and shame that I would think if I were not sober created a darkness inside that I would wish upon nobody. Having a neutral, safe place allowed me to take the family visits in small increments. Addiction is always a thought away, and without a solid backup plan, that thought can easily take over.

Recovery During the holidays

Having had many sober holidays with my family, I am very aware of what I need to do to ensure my sobriety. I am in regular contact with other members of  12 Step Fellowships and various recovery methods. I have an internal dialogue that I have been taught through Ccounselling, Responding to negative self-talk instead of reacting. From an Existential point of view, I have taken back control of myself. I have removed labels and approached recovery in a humanistic way. This does not mean that I do not engage in 12 12-step fellowship, or do not attend recovery meetings. I was taught early in my recovery that open-mindedness was essential. Throughout my recovery journey, I continue to be able to try new philosophies and methods, adding what fits for my recovery.

Best Gift for the Holidays

Not being able to buy a gift for a child or a loved one can feel devastating and can leave them feeling like they have failed as a parent or partner. It cuts deeply into their sense of self-worth and hope. When working with clients, one of the most common questions they ask is whether their loved one would even want a gift and whether it would really matter. The answer is always the same: “I would just want them safe and sober.”
No one deserves to be trapped in addiction or to feel alone during the holidays. This does not mean inviting active substance use into our homes, but it does mean understanding that there is a real solution and a real path to recovery, even during the holiday season. If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out. You deserve support, care, and a chance at a better life. Reach out today for a fresh start to the new year.

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