Navigating the Holidays with Addiction in the Family

The holiday season can be extremely tough for many families, especially when there’s loss, trauma, unresolved issues and addiction in the picture. Not everyone’s holiday celebration looks like a Hallmark movie scene and navigating family chaos can require a lot of patience, planning and prioritizing your own needs above family expectations.  I know this all too well, as my family has endured some extremely difficult situations, and I have family members who suffer from alcoholism. If you or a loved one struggle with addiction, these situations can make it incredibly hard to resist the urge to fall back into substance use to deal with the pain. However, there are some strategies you can use to get through the holiday chaos without a backward slide.  Don’t go. There’s no reason to force yourself to attend a family gathering if it leaves you feeling hurt, traumatized, angry or at risk of using again. You are an adult, and you can make the choice not to go. And, remember that “No” is a complete sentence. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Simply politely decline. Make sobriety your top priority. This takes a lot of courage but make it clear to family members that sobriety is your new normal, and it’s non-negotiable. You’re not giving something up, you’re actually gaining something — a new life, better health, etc. If you’re a recovering alcoholic, ask your family to skip the libations in solidarity with you. If they choose not to, decide in advanc...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Addiction Family Holiday Coping Recovery Substance Abuse Addiction Recovery Alcoholism Holidays Unrealistic Expectations Source Type: blogs