The end of the year is often an overwhelming time for those battling addiction. This feeling can be especially true during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Some of those in sobriety circles call this the holy trifecta. However, there are ways to maintain sobriety through this challenging period; it takes effort on your part to focus on your goal(s) and commitment to your family members and friends who want you healthy again. Although many may not know how much effort goes into recovering without the support of friends and family–and most importantly, having people around us willing to help when we need someone’s support during this challenging time for many in recovery from substance use disorder.

Paramount Recovery Centers is an addiction treatment facility located in Southborough, MA, and provides services for alcohol abuse and other substance misuse disorders. Our staff is dedicated to providing you with the best care possible so that your recovery will be successful!

The goals of our program include teaching individuals new ways of managing their habits; guiding those dealing with depression or anxiety while they recover through group and individual therapy sessions. 

How to Cope with Holiday Pressures and Substance Use Disorder in MA

This is the time of year where we all have one thing on our minds: family. Unfortunately, the holidays can bring out both the best and worst in people, which means it’s important not to judge yourself when mistakes are made or you feel like things aren’t going well for your situation during this hectic season. It may help if we become aware that two sources of pressure can lead someone to relapse during the holiday season.

Direct social pressure happens when someone offers you a drink without being asked. It’s an example of implicit peer-to-peer invitations.

Indirect social pressure is the idea that you may feel tempted to drink alcohol, even though no one has offered it. This can be due mainly because you are surrounded by people who are drinking and seem happy, so often you start thinking, “why not?”

Professional Advice on How to Stay Sober from Clinicians

The staff at Paramount Recovery Centers are empathetic to the needs of an individual struggling with drugs and alcohol misuse. Some employees of Paramount Recovery Centers in Southborough, MA, have been in recovery themselves. So they speak from experience and being trained medical professionals who know how it works on both ends. Having had previous experiences like yours can help you relate without shame. 

The strength here is understanding what goes into somebody’s life every day when living under the burden of addiction.

10-holiday tips to stay sober during the holidays in MA:

1. Make sure to set some boundaries with friends and family. It’s best to know what limits you have and when to leave a situation.
2. Communicate with the recovery community around you. Those in recovery from addiction are there to support you as well. They will understand what it takes to get through this time.
3. Plan ahead. Families members may not know you are recovering from drinking or using drugs. They may offer you a drink without thinking about it. Make sure you plan an escape route. 
4. Increase self-care. Make sure to take care of your mental and physical health during this time.
5. Practice your plan for refusing drugs and alcohol. Come up with a witty response or just say no. Remember, no is a complete sentence. 
6. Create a list of why maintaining your sobriety is important to you. On the way to a family get together or are feeling lonely pull this list out and reread it if you feel lonely. You will probably notice that you are doing great.
7. Avoid isolation. Remember to call your sponsor. This will help you talk to others in recovery. Make it to a 24-hour marathon meeting. It will help a lot. 
8. Remain committed to the routines/rituals that ground you. You may have found that meditation or a particular set of daily activities help you get through those nasty thoughts that can creep up on you. Make sure you continue to do those.
9. Take a breather. Recovery from substance use disorder is challenging. Remember, you are doing great.
10. Remember why you started your sobriety and how far you have come.  You got sober for a reason. Remember that. The only one that you have to be accountable for daily is you. When you take care of that, you can appreciate everything that life offers. 

Remember Paramount Recovery Centers in Southborough, MA is here to help you if you need it. We specialize in PHP and IOP day treatment for substance use disorder in Massachusetts. Our facility is state of the art and is welcoming to all. If you feel you need any support let us know how to help by calling (833) 772-7287. We hope you have a wonderful holidays.