In the past, I have written about holiday stress. This year, I want to show another person's perspective on this annual problem in terms of recovery from addiction.

Your First Holiday Season in Recovery

If you’re a recovering alcoholic or recovering addict who has recently gotten clean, your first holiday season in recovery can be a difficult one.

From the stress of being surrounded by potential triggers to the sadness of missing friends and family you’ve lost throughout your addiction, there are many things that make the holidays particularly challenging for people in recovery.

These tips will help you cope with the holidays successfully.

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Find a Sober Buddy to Be Your Plus-One

Holiday parties and get-togethers, such as company holiday parties and family meals, often create anxiety for people in recovery, because these events almost always include alcohol.

Whether alcohol was your drug of choice or not, abstaining is crucial for your continued recovery, but turning down a glass of champagne or a mixed drink repeatedly can feel awkward.

You don’t need to reveal that you’re in recovery unless you’ve reached a point at which you’re comfortable making other people aware. Instead, find a sober buddy to be your plus-one to holiday events.

It’s easier to say no when you have someone who shares your struggles and is also politely declining drinks. Or, if your spouse or partner will be joining you, ask them to abstain in support of your recovery.

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Avoid Stressful Situations and Triggers

Identify potentially stressful situations and possible triggers, and avoid them. If there’s a particular family member who drives you crazy, steer clear of that person at family events, or walk away when things start to get frustrating.

If you’re traveling back to your hometown over the holidays, don’t make plans to hang out with people with whom you used to drink or use drugs. Plan ahead and find out about sober events happening in the area so that you have easy access to meetings and alternative, sober activities to keep you busy.

Bring your own bottled water or soda to avoid the need to walk up to the bar to ask for a non-alcoholic drink. Additionally, be mindful of what you’re choosing to eat and drink at parties and events.

Some foods and drinks may contain alcohol in small amounts, which can be enough to trigger a relapse for some people. That may mean passing on your favorite rum cake, but think of it in a positive light: it gives you an opportunity to try something new.

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Ask Your Loved Ones for Support

Coping with the realization that you have lost the trust of people you love is tough for anyone in recovery. The holidays are a great time to reconnect with the (sober) friends and family members with whom your relationships became strained throughout your addiction.

The holiday season is a time of joy and forgiveness, so reach out and apologize for things that happened in the past. Let them know that you’re in recovery and that you’d value their support.

Also, talk to the loved ones who are still currently in your life leading up to the holiday season. Discuss your concerns about upcoming holiday events and the fear of encountering difficult situations and triggers.

Ask them to help you stay on track and maintain your recovery throughout the season. Knowing that you have someone invested in your ongoing recovery willing to lend an ear and a helping hand can make all the difference as you work through challenging situations.

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Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Healthy coping mechanisms are critical for many people in recovery, particularly if your addiction resulted from the use of alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism for other problems in your life.

If you haven’t yet identified positive coping mechanisms that you can use when you experience cravings or encounter stressful situations, make it a priority to find some options that work for you before the holiday events start happening.

There are hundreds of possible coping mechanisms, and what works for one person may be ineffective for another.

Experiment with a variety of techniques such as yoga, meditation, exercise, journaling, art, and other habits that can help you turn unhealthy stress into something positive.

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When you’re faced with difficult situations this holiday season, these are the coping skills that you’ll turn to.

When you know how to identify your triggers, develop alternative coping mechanisms to handle holiday stress, and have a support system to help you through the toughest aspects of the holidays, you’ll be prepared to emerge a stronger and more resilient person in the New Year.

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