Addictions have never been easy to manage, but they become even more challenging around the holidays. The holidays bring an increase in the number of people with alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and other addiction problems.
The increased stress can make it challenging to stick to goals and recovery plans, but it is true for most people. While many people think about alcohol or drugs simply withdraw, it is possible to deal with these stressors and difficulties.
A few essential points to consider when dealing with them: Identify the stressors and identify your inner struggles. Alcohol and drug abuse are widespread among people struggling with depression and tension. The first step should be to identify these stressors, and the second step is to identify them as an inner struggle.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, alcohol and drugs should not be the first choice, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that nearly 2.1 million people were hospitalized in the US between 2000 and 2010 for these activities.
If you realize that you are stressed all the time but don’t know how to stop until you know that you are stressed, what do you do?
Identifying your inner struggle can be harder than identifying your own stressors, so look for behavior patterns. If you know that you have become depressed after reading or losing a loved one, avoid things that remind you of this situation. Remember that you are dealing with a difficult memory or condition, and your substance abuse is due to past physical abuse.
In a surprising research paper, APA [PDF] reports that willpower is a finite resource. It is similar to a muscle that can be worn out, and in some cases, it can even lead to injury to the body.
This means that we must simplify our decision-making during the holidays when we have many temptations and choices to make. Let someone else help you overcome this problem or work on it with a friend or family member.
By remembering the finiteness of our willpower, we can avoid situations where addiction may be present. Holidays can be challenging for alcoholics, as many of them often contain alcoholic drinks of a particular kind. You should consider in advance whether and how much you should choose a healthy breakfast the night before.
The police will be even tougher on you over the Christmas period if they know of your inclinations, so don’t go to parties unless you can help yourself. If you know that there will be medications, you should take them as soon as possible, even if only for a short period.
Don’t be ashamed to talk to someone about it, even if it’s a friend, family member, or even your boss or colleague – if you can.
Friends and family can be helpful at times, but remember that they may not necessarily have the same level of knowledge or experience as you. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to assume that you can do it alone – it’s much harder to stay healthy when dealing with things alone. Even if you have managed your addiction well over the years, the Christmas season can bring several challenges for which you are not prepared.
Some people may have multiple causes, commonly known as dual diagnosis. These factors need to be identified, identified, and addressed to ensure that the assistance you provide is as complete as possible. One could unintentionally enter or drift into a debt spiral that makes a collapse even more likely.
Visiting a professional counselor or participating in an addiction program can help you get tailored counseling for your specific needs and your family and community’s overall health.
In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched a special campaign to encourage smoking cessation. The New Year’s start is a great time for people trying to fight addiction, but if you don’t have time to finish your fight, it can be the New Year that makes the holidays so stressful.
Recovery from addiction can take time, and increasing stress only increases the likelihood of relapse. This is a good time for you to make addiction – a free lifestyle – a goal, but you should not make it a pressure point.
Remember, instead, that the holidays are a time when you have the best memories, and getting annoyed with your favorite addiction is no excuse. Dealing with addiction on holiday can be difficult, but it’s time to move on – and you can.
It is normal to have to talk to someone and get help, but you have to give so much to protect your decisions and not get into difficult situations. Identify the stressors in your inner struggle, know what you are fighting for, and forget to help yourself.
Don’t let the holidays complicate things, but don’t be afraid to go out and continue to pursue your addiction. Remember that New Year’s Eve is not what ends your addictive life goals. It’s only one date and you’ll have to continue your habit.
