Thursday, January 3, 2013

Working through the Holidays with Addiction: Addiction Help by Seeing an Addiction Therapist

By Tia Parsley


The holidays are a special time of the year when all folks take a bit of time to focus on others, give thanks for what they have, and give to those in need. While it's not difficult to get wrapped up in the vacation merriment, those in recovery from addiction realize the significance of self-care and alcohol addiction help. Developing a holiday recovery plan will help people avoid relapse by guaranteeing that recovery activities are booked into each day.

A holiday recovery plan is all about coping with extra stress, balancing the extra activities involved with the holidays, and managing "high-risk" situations. The first step in any good holiday recovery plan would be to check the calendar for upcoming events. Confirm high-risk situations like family get togethers or office parties are limited both in number and time spent participating. Likewise, schedule more recovery activities such as AA or NA addiction support group meetings, exercising, meditating, or pro counseling sessions with an addiction therapist.

Even the best-laid plans are not perfect, so urges to use are not uncommon. Family, memories, parties, finances, crowds, and even the extra commercials advertising alcohol may cause urges to use. When managing urges, it is really important for individuals to recollect how easily inappropriate reactions to high-risk eventualities can become a relapse.

Completing a daily inventory at the end of each day can help you stay on track. Reflecting every night on thoughts, feelings, reactions, and actions can help you gain awareness, knowledge, and skills needed for a continual successful recovery. Even judging the triggers that lead to past holiday relapses can offer valuable info about navigating this year's vacation calendar.

Those with addiction can successfully navigate the holidays by beginning with a holiday recovery plan. By thoroughly planning recovery activities, reducing high-risk situations, and being mindful of "what works," you can have a relapse-free vacation!




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