Thursday, January 3, 2013

Persevering the Holidays with Addiction: Addiction Help by Seeing an Addiction Therapist

By Tia Parsley


The holidays are a special time of the year when people 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 hard to get wrapped up in the vacation revelry, those in recovery from addiction realize the significance of self-care and alcohol addiction help. Developing a holiday recovery plan will help individuals avoid relapse by making certain that recovery activities are scheduled into each day.

A holiday recovery plan is all about coping with further stress, balancing the extra activities involved with the holidays, and managing "high-risk" circumstances. Step one in any good holiday recovery plan would be to check the calendar for upcoming events. Confirm high-risk circumstances like family gatherings or office parties are limited both in number and time spent taking part. Likewise, schedule more recovery activities like AA or NA addiction support group meetings, exercising, meditating, or professional counseling sessions with an addiction therapist.

Even the best-laid plans are not perfect, so urges to use are standard. Family, memories, parties, finances, crowds, and even the additional commercials advertising alcohol may trigger urges to use. When handling urges, it's important for individuals to recollect how easily inappropriate reactions to high-risk situations can become a relapse.

Completing a regular inventory at the end of each day will help you keep on track. Reflecting each evening on thoughts, feelings, reactions, and actions will help you gain awareness, knowledge, and skills needed for a continuing successful recovery. Even gauging the triggers which lead to past holiday relapses can supply valuable info about navigating this year's holiday calendar.

Those with addiction can find a path through the holidays by starting with a holiday recovery plan. By thoroughly planning recovery activities, reducing high-risk circumstances, and being aware of "what works," you can have a relapse-free holiday!




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