Tips for Avoiding Holiday Addiction Relapses
The holiday season can be one of great excitement and fun with family and friends, but one that
can also involve many drug and alcohol related situations. As such, the holidays can make it
difficult to stay focused on your heath and avoid harmful temptations that may surface. To avoid
a potential addiction relapse, here are some tips to help you enjoy the holidays and stay on the
right track:
Spend time with others you trust. One of the easiest ways to combat a potential addition
relapse is by surrounding yourself with others who have your best interest in mind. Close and
trustworthy family members will not entice you with temptations of drugs or alcohol, and you’ll
feel more comfortable in settings where you won’t feel pressured by others. A close support
network is the best way to avoid succumbing to your own instincts.
Find other activities and hobbies. It’s very important to find hobbies and other activities
you enjoy to keep your mind off of your vices. Enrolling in fitness classes or volunteering can
significantly help you avoid the lure alcohol or drugs. Being the holiday season, doing some
shopping for friends or family can also be a great way to keep you in the right frame of mind.
Hone your willpower skills. Honing your willpower skills will be crucial during the holiday
season, particularly if you find yourself in the presence of alcohol or drugs. While the best
advice would be to avoid being around your temptations all together, more than likely you will be
in a scenario or environment where you’ll have to exhibit willpower. If needed, don’t hesitate to
leave a situation in which you may be easily enticed to make a mistake.
Establish a healthy sleep cycle. Being well rested and maintaining healthy sleep patterns
will help you remain less susceptible to addition relapses. A solid sleep cycle will also give you
energy to engage in your other activities and hobbies, which are important outlets in helping you
stay focused on your lifestyle goals.
Avoid the presence of alcohol and drugs. As simple as it sounds, remaining in your
comfort zone and skipping out on a party or two may be the best way to avoid relapse. While
strong willpower can overcome many challenging scenarios, testing your willpower frequently is
not the best idea for some recovering from addiction. By putting yourself in positive situations,
you’ll manage to enjoy the holiday season without being reminded of your former additions.
Use the holiday season as a time to improve your health and make the best choices for your
future will lead you down a positive path for the new year. And, remember, always seek help
and support by those you trust if you feel yourself going down the wrong road!
