Addicts report that the holidays are definite triggers for their problems. Those addicted to alcohol, drugs, food and other things face a challenge every time the holidays roll around. Relapses occur more often than at other times of the year.

There are two significant reasons for this. This Rehabilitation Guide discusses the reason why the holidays can trigger problems with addicts and what you can do to stay on your recovery program this season.

Holiday Triggers and What You Can Do to Beat Them

1. Holidays are Party Times: Family and friends get together to celebrate, and when they do, food, alcohol and drugs are often part of the mix. But you don’t have to relapse. Here are survival tips for these difficult times.

• Review and remember your reasons for being in treatment and recovery, and let them continue to guide you.
• Don’t go if you just don’t think it’s a good idea. Explain if you want to, but you don’t owe anyone an explanation for doing what is best for your recovery.
• Leave a party or gathering if you’re feeling tempted. You can always return if your equilibrium returns.
• Take along a supportive friend who will help you stay strong.
• Have prepared responses ready such as, “I’ve quit drinking/using” or “I’m on prescription medication that doesn’t mix with alcohol/drugs.” Say, “I’ve lost weight and feel great about it; I don’t want to gain it back.” If people hassle you, let them know firmly but pleasantly that you said “no” and meant it.
• Stick to your routine of going to meetings or counseling, getting exercise, eating healthy and practicing your spirituality.

2. Holidays are Difficult Times: If we’ve experienced loss in our lives, then holidays tend to magnify the loss and we’re tempted to find comfort in the things we’re addicted to.

• Stay close to supportive, positive family and friends.
• Volunteer to serve others. Work a shift so a co-worker can have time off, serve meals at a homeless shelter or deliver them to shut-ins, shovel snow for elderly neighbors, be a Salvation Army bell-ringer or find a way to serve that makes sense for you. The positive energy you get from these activities will help keep you strong.
• As mentioned above, keep up the routine that has allowed you to be successful to this point. Breaks in your routine can mean a letdown in your defenses.
• Mourn the losses. If you’ve never truly mourned the loss, the bottled-up feelings will certainly be triggers. You may want to do this with the help of a supportive friend or counselor. If the losses are broken relationships, and something positive can be done to heal them, take steps toward reconciliation.

3. Holidays are Stressful: As much fun as they can be, the holidays bring stress in many forms: Fighting crowds at the shopping mall, travel, family gatherings and intense business. Read the keys to success in the sections above, and use these to relieve stress.

• Shop online from the comfort of home.
• Start your shopping early to avoid the rush.
• Set a spending budget and stick to it, so debt doesn’t add to your stress. This is important for everyone, but especially those with shopping addictions.
• Say “no” to stressful activities when possible. Take a “less is more” approach to gatherings, concerts, parties, etc.
• Get enough sleep and exercise in order to stay in peak emotional condition.

Yes, holidays are triggers for addicts of many kinds. These holiday survival tips will help you stay on your recovery track during this period and throughout the year.