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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » How to Celebrate the Holidays While in Recovery
Celebrating the holidays can be challenging for those new to life in recovery. Both the internal and external pressures to drink can be strong at this time of year. Such relapse triggers can dampen the celebratory spirits of anyone trying to stay sober.
The notion of celebrating the season while in rehab can seem even more daunting. Those in inpatient treatment may wonder how to celebrate the holidays without the presence of family and all of the familiar traditions that they associate with “a jolly time of year.” If a day in rehab sounds hard, a Christmas or New Year’s Day in rehab may sound like an eternity.
Thankfully, there are numerous ways to celebrate the holidays while in recovery, and to experience more of the fun and joy of Christmas and the New Year. This article will offer some ideas to anyone in early recovery, from those celebrating the holidays while in rehab to those in their first year of sobriety who may be struggling to find the celebration in “sober.”
Many people struggling with a substance use disorder will end up spending the holidays in rehab out of sheer necessity. This season of the year is often when professionals can take extended time off from work more discreetly and with less worry about job security, for example.
There are others who end up in treatment over the holidays because of a relapse during early recovery (when the risks of relapse are the highest). As a result they may be dealing with feelings of depression and disappointment, and they may find the prospects of a genuine holiday celebration dim, to say the least.
But celebrating the holidays in rehab is possible. It can even be an opportunity to savor the true spirit of the holidays. The following suggestions illustrate how:
Others in early recovery may be out of treatment but new to the concept of sober holiday celebration and what that can look like. Here are some tips for embracing the joy of this time of year while sober:
“TAMERS” is another sober holiday tip. (This list from The Recovery Book contains many more ideas for celebrating the holidays sober.) TAMERS stands for:
Engage in acts of service to others. Helping others reportedly has proven health benefits. Consider how you might put others first this holiday season. Maybe that is serving a meal at a soup kitchen or sharing your story of recovery with others. It could be something as simple as inviting a friend going through a rough time to Christmas dinner. Whatever it is will lift your holiday spirits.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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