The holiday season can be the most challenging time of year for those in recovery. Family stress and increased opportunities to drink make staying sober during the holidays feel impossible. Thanksgiving is often the most stressful holiday of the year. People in recovery often need more support to stay sober and healthy through Thanksgiving and beyond. Across the country, relapse prevention programs can provide the help, support, and solidarity needed to remain sober.
If you or someone in your life is struggling to stay sober this holiday season, reach out to Baltimore Detox Center by calling [Direct] or completing our online form. Our relapse prevention program can keep you or a loved one on the road to recovery.
What Is a Relapse Prevention Program?
Relapse prevention programs help those in recovery avoid relapse. They provide essential therapy and tools to keep sobriety manageable. Most programs use cognitive therapy to prevent relapse. Programs also include step-by-step guidelines to help those in recovery stay on track. These guidelines may include:
- Signs of relapse to watch for
- Triggers to avoid
- Detailed recovery plan
Recovery plans are written with doctors and therapists before a client leaves rehab. A relapse prevention program can help make users and their loved ones aware of early relapse signs. Those signs include:
- Drug or alcohol cravings
- Thinking about others you used drugs with
- Romanticizing past drug or alcohol use
- Bargaining, lying, and seeking substances
The chaos of Thanksgiving and other holidays can make it difficult for loved ones to spot the signs of relapse. If you or someone you love is in a relapse prevention program, take time to review relapse guidelines together. This can help family and friends spot early signs of relapse.
Ways to Enjoy a Sober Thanksgiving
It can be tough for anyone to stay sober during Thanksgiving. Family stress, celebration, excess food, and social drinking can easily lead those in recovery to drink or use drugs. Some ways to avoid a Thanksgiving relapse include:
- Plan a sober Thanksgiving. Gather with family or friends, or request your family plan a sober holiday. You may enjoy the food and company even more than usual.
- Bring a buddy. If you’re in a relapse prevention program, bring a sober friend or partner to Thanksgiving to offer moral support and keep you in check.
- Get out of town. Take a break from family and friends. Go away for the long weekend or spend time with a sober friend. You may not miss the pumpkin pie after all.
- Find a 12-step meeting. A recovery meeting before and after a stressful family holiday can keep things in perspective. Sometimes it’s easier to stay sober when you realize you’re not the only one in recovery.
- Talk to your therapist. Cognitive-behavioral therapists offer support, perspective, and guidance throughout the year. Ask your therapist for extra tools to survive the holidays.
Whether you spend the holiday alone or with family, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on recovery. In the spirit of gratitude, take time to thank yourself and those who have supported your journey to. You might just find a sober holiday is better than you expected.
Celebrate a Sober Thanksgiving with Support from Baltimore Detox Center
Sobriety is a daily choice. Holidays like Thanksgiving are just one day of the year. Relapse prevention programs can help those in recovery gain perspective and stay sober through the holiday seasons. At Baltimore Detox Center, our range of addiction treatment and therapy can help you maintain sobriety. As the second free-standing detox center in the city, we know compassionate and comprehensive addiction care.
Call Baltimore Detox Center at [Direct] or complete our online form for the support you may need to stay sober this holiday season.
