Avoiding Relapse During the Holidays

The holidays are a time for celebrating with family and friends at parties and gatherings; however it is also a time that can lead to a relapse for those in alcohol and drug abuse and addiction recovery. But, with a little planning you can avoid relapse during the holidays!

What is a Relapse?

A relapse is when an individual in recovery returns to substance abuse. The relapse can be brief or it may last for a longer period. In many cases, the addict may need to enter a medical detox and rehab treatment program to help them overcome and get back on track.

Some individuals experience a relapse shortly after they leave rehab and for others the relapse may occur many months or years after completing their treatment program. Regardless of when it happens, the common denominator seems to be the amount of will power and determination to abstain and the trigger that results in returning to substance abuse.

Recognizing Triggers

Being able to recognize the warning signs that may result in a relapse is one of the most important steps in ensuring that your recovery is continued and without fail. Since substance abuse is linked to behaviors, thoughts and emotions, it stands to reason that if you learn to control these things, you can minimize the chance for slipping back into drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

Sometimes a relapse may be brought on from losing control or losing motivation to continue in recovery. Some individuals discover that increased anxiety and stress can lead to a return to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

Preventing a Relapse

There are many tools for developing a plan to avoid relapse such as writing down how you feel when certain events occur that cause you to think about using drugs or alcohol or result in substance abuse. Understanding and recognizing the triggers allow the addict in recovery to learn to deal with them rather than give in.

The best way to prevent a relapse is to have a plan for addressing the stress and other circumstances that lead you to substance abuse. Changing old habits and ways of thinking towards alcohol and drug use, especially as a way of escaping from stress and other problems, may go a long way in preventing a relapse.

Living in denial does not help to build a strong foundation or will power to resist temptation when it appears. The most important thing that you can do is to be honest with yourself and others about your feelings and emotions, so that you can resist the urge to return to substance abuse and addiction.

Keep it Positive

One of the best ways to avoid an alcohol or drug relapse is to keep a positive attitude as you move ahead in your life and recovery. Of course there will be times when it will seem that everything that can go wrong seems to go wrong; however, as you become stronger in recovery you will discover that those moments are less frequent. Maintaining a positive attitude all the time will take practice, but you can do it!