Managing Sobriety During The Holidays

Managing sobriety during the holidays can be daunting, particularly for teenagers battling an addiction problem. Many people in the early stages of recovery often relapse during this period, owing to social events’ abundance. It becomes much easier to give in to peer pressure and indulge in substance abuse or alcohol consumption.

In some cases, teenagers lose control because they feel lonely in their journey. As a result, young recovering addicts might feel the need to drink at Christmas or New Year parties to fit in with the crowd. Millions of people across the United States grapple with substance abuse challenges. Fortunately, Elevations RTC helps teenagers and parents find practical ways to overcome these issues during the festive season.

The center offers an all-gender residential treatment program to transform teenagers’ lives for the better. Trained counselors work closely with families and teens through intensive and comprehensive therapy sessions. In turn, a teenager will find it easier to manage the social pressures associated with the holiday season.

Practical ways to maintain sobriety

The best part about working with counselors at Elevations RTC in Utah is that teens discover viable solutions to avoid relapse. The center focuses on the healthy development of youths amidst wide-ranging social challenges.

Here are some effective ways to maintain sobriety throughout the holidays:

Implement proven sobriety strategies

Preparing to navigate the tricky holiday period by adopting effective sobriety strategies greatly improves the chances of a successful outcome. A viable plan identifies the potential triggers of relapse and formulates counter-strategies to deal with various holiday scenarios. Attending counseling sessions at Elevations RTC is a prudent move that prepares you for the challenges ahead.

Attending social gatherings with a sober friend or sponsor is another practical solution. Also, consider making calls before and after the event to an advisor or another individual in recovery. This approach helps you maintain discipline at parties and other social gatherings during the festive season.

Therapists recommend minimizing exposure to stressful situations. A well-formulated anti-relapse plan revolves around maintaining high levels of situational awareness. You should be aware of people, things, and places capable of triggering risky behavior.

Talk about your holiday sobriety plans

Talking about addiction and your sobriety plans is a surefire way to make you feel empowered and garner support. Family and friends are more likely to provide encouragement and moral support as you prepare for the holiday season. Talking about your plans may even inspire others faced with similar challenges to adopt a proactive approach. You can carefully select trusted people to share information with about your journey.

Additionally, aim to stay busy during the festive season to minimize the temptation to indulge in alcohol and other substances. Spending more time chatting with acquaintances may be fraught with pitfalls that compromise your resolve. Instead, opt for engaging activities that reduce the temptation to resort to substance abuse.

Identify effective ways to channel holiday stress

Professional therapists at Elevations RTC highlight the importance of finding effective ways to channel holiday stress. In doing so, you can cope with stressful situations without turning to alcohol and drugs. Experienced counselors recommend channeling the stress by engaging in sports, games with family, working out at the gym, or going out for a walk.

Adjust your attitude

To adjust your attitude, confide in your family, friends, or a professional counselor about your expectations, fears, and emotions regarding the holiday period. This approach is critical if you inadvertently replay past experiences or memories (circulating reality). A proper assessment of the holiday situation and expectations helps you adjust your attitude for the duration of the festive season.

In turn, you become more tolerant of others and realistic in your expectations. When attending social gatherings, avoid being defensive or edgy. Instead, maintain a positive attitude throughout the event

Negative thoughts or anxiety can lead to the buildup of resentment and unwanted stress. Subsequently, you may experience denial and relapse. A negative attitude usually becomes a justification for consuming drugs or alcohol.

Pack a non-alcoholic drink

To reduce the risk of relapse associated with holiday temptations, consider packing a non-alcoholic drink when going out to social events. Non-alcoholic beers are the right choice because they help you relieve peer pressure. These beverages come with the flavor of beer without the alcoholic content. As a result, you no longer feel anxious about blending into a holiday social event.

Non-alcoholic beers eliminate the need to explain to your friends about your chosen beverage. Having a drink in hand stops people from offering you alcohol. On the other hand, being mindful of the beverages you consume during the holiday events is an integral part of successfully managing sobriety.

Avoid asking people to fetch beverages on your behalf because they may unwittingly bring the wrong drink. Accidentally consuming beverages with alcohol can trigger defensive rationalizations about your ability to handle alcohol in social settings

How Elevations RTC can help

Elevations RTC is undoubtedly one of the most prominent residential treatment centers. The facility employs a team of experienced and highly trained psychiatric, medical, and psychological experts. You can count on the team to help teens manage sobriety during the holidays and throughout the year

The center takes a holistic approach to address wide-ranging issues. Teenagers receive ongoing support and assistance beyond therapy sessions. Elevations RTC understands the need for clinical excellence when it comes to helping patients with addiction problems. This form of intervention empowers teenagers to regain control of their lives.