Relapse Prevention at Christmas

Gather your support network

Having the right people around you is a key element to a sober Christmas without relapse. If possible, connect up with your most supportive friends and relatives  during the festive season, and don’t put yourself in any situations where peer pressure may be present. The right people won’t even think about pressuring you to ‘just have one’ or drag you to the toilet to share what they have in their back pocket. Remember, if anyone does this, it’s usually about them needing to have a drink or use drugs, rather than you.

Be the host with the most

You can be the one to host a dinner, a party, or maybe something more low-key like a games night. You’re in control of the scene, the arrival times and the guest list, plus – if it’s up your street – you can ask people to bring a non-alcoholic drink with them. From lemonade to non-alcohol spirits, fancy teas to 0% beer, you’re guaranteed a sober party but one that is full of flavour. Dare to be different, and you never know, it might take the pressure off someone else too.

Plan your social calendar

Really take the time to evaluate the places and parties that you’re invited to. It may mean you spend a little longer thinking rather than jumping to a YES on your RSVP, but it means you can make a considered decision and ensure you have enough time to yourself throughout the festive season. Self care in recovery cannot be abandoned, particularly at Christmas! It’s better to say yes to less, and then have a positive time, than to overload yourself with a non-stop schedule that adds to your stress.

Make your circle aware

It would be wrong of us to assume that everyone in your life knows the journey you are on, so if there are some trusted people who haven’t been updated, it is best to make them aware of your recovery before diving head-first into festivities. It doesn’t have to be a long and deep conversation, it can be a text or a phone call, or a catch up over coffee. With your inner circle, it’s good that they know you are not drinking or using drugs anymore, so they can support your decision.

Have some festive fun

While all this sounds like a rule book, the biggest thing is to make sure you still have fun. Drugs and alcohol aren’t essentials to a night of fun, memories, and laughter. The longer you are in recovery, the quality of your social conversations, enjoyment, and how much you can remember, will all go up. Surround yourself with the right people in the right places, and allow yourself to be in the moment and enjoy every second. Sober life opens up a whole new world of possibilities, opportunities, and a different kind of fun (without embarrassment, regret and headaches the next day).

Know your boundaries

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, to head to an after party or back to someone’s house after the pub or club. Now, while this isn’t always a bad idea, it is something to take care of (particularly if you’re in the early days of recovery). If you’re with people who are drinking and using, their levels might be getting quite high later on. So, know your boundaries and when you want to head home, and be rock-steady in your decision. Fear of missing out can be at play here, so it’s important to remember that there are always more opportunities to hang out with friends – you don’t need to pack it all into one (very long) night.

We offer both alcohol and drug addiction treatment, as well as a detox and rehab programme to give our clients the tools, knowledge, and skills they need to find a life beyond addiction. We offer all our clients three months of free aftercare following completion of their treatment programme with us, and we are here to support every step of the way.