Holidays and Addiction Recovery

It can be tough on people in addiction recovery around Christmas and New Year. Holidays and addiction recovery cause friction in early recovery The parties and spirit of celebration too often center around alcohol spirits. The holiday season doesn’t have to be difficult for those in recovery — there are different ways to celebrate. It probably sounds corny to most sophisticated party goers, but the holiday season can be a time for reflection and the expression of good will.

People in early recovery who could have a hard time during the holidays, if they think about all the parties they’re missing or worrying about being around family members who’re drinking egg-nog or sneaking out in the back yard to smoke a joint, could think about others instead. It’s the season of giving. The holiday season should help us get out of our self-centeredness and think of others. There are people who literally have nothing, no home, no gifts, no money, no family, not anything. Helping some of these unfortunate people is a good way to get out of self pity.

Also, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups usually have holiday get-togethers where people in recovery celebrate sobriety and help one another appreciate the good things recovery brings. There are lots of ways to celebrate the holidays rather than drinking alcohol of taking some drug for an artificial high. Real joy doesn’t come from a bottle or a pipe or from popping pills — joy comes from human interaction, from fellowship, restoration and healing and helping those less fortunate.

Even if a person is not a Christian and doesn’t connect to Christmas or isn’t of some other faith like the Jewish faith celebrating Hanukkah, anyone can connect to the spirit of joy, good will, giving and love. Although it would be good if we could maintain this attitude and mindset year round, it’s unrealistic to expect we can do so without getting bogged down in the drudgery at times — so the holiday season is a good time to rejuvenate our spirits and recharge ourselves — it can be a joyful time or a time of depression, it’s up to us. Holidays and addiction recovery don’t have to be at odds, not if the time is used to celebrate life and recovery.