Helping a loved one over the holidays can be both intimidating and taxing. This is because many people worry about how their loved one is going to react. It is also a high-stakes process as it can literally be a life-or-death situation. This process can become even more complicated when it comes to helping a loved one navigate the holidays sober. The good news is that there are many tips and tools that can make this process go much smoother.
Better Understanding Addiction
Addiction remains one of the most serious issues facing millions of people all over the world. It is also important to remember that addiction doesn’t just affect the person struggling. It affects everyone that is around that person, especially family members. This is why addiction is often referred to as a “family disease.”
Many people don’t realize that alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent addiction in the U.S. and around the world. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “28.9 million people ages 12 and older (10.2% in this age group) had AUD in the past year. This includes 16.8 million males ages 12 and older (12.1% in this age group),” and “12.0 million females ages 12 and older (8.3% in this age group).”
Another highly prevalent addiction is opioid use disorder (OUD). This is because there remains an opioid epidemic in the U.S., which is fueled by an influx of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl is also responsible for many overdose deaths in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Drug overdoses are one of the leading causes of injury death in adults and have risen over the past several decades in the United States. Overdoses involving synthetic opioids (fentanyl, for example) and stimulants (cocaine and methamphetamine, for example) have also risen in the past few years.”
Better Understanding Addiction Treatment
Many people who struggle with addiction, also struggle with other issues of mental illness, and many of these people don’t get the help that they need. Also, many people don’t get the addiction treatment that they need due to other factors.
These factors include worry about what might happen while they are in treatment, such as with their jobs and with their relationships. Also, many people are worried that they will not be able to afford treatment. However, it is important to understand that many insurance companies will cover both residential and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
Another reason that people don’t get the help that they need is that they don’t recognize that they have a problem. This includes family members not recognizing that there is a problem.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of addiction will vary from person to person. However, there are some universal signs that someone may be struggling. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
- Isolating away from close family members and friends
- Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
- Having feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness (depression)
- Not being able to stop drinking or using once started
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Wanting to commit self-harm
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see, these symptoms range from minimal to very severe. This is why if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. This includes over the holidays.
Navigating the Holidays Sober
Now, navigating the holidays sober can be difficult. However, it doesn’t have to be.
The key to navigating the holidays sober is to stick to a recovery plan and focus on long-term success. It is also important to stay connected to other people in recovery and to maintain healthy relationships with family members and close friends.
Helping a Family Member Navigate the Holidays Sober
Of course, helping a family member navigate the holidays sober can feel difficult at times. The key is to remember that a loved one must be able to manage their own recovery.
However eliminating triggering “people, places, and things” can be very helpful. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available at family functions and to treat a loved one in recovery the same as before. It can be triggering when an individual feels “called out” because of their recovery.
Navigating the Holidays Sober With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in focusing on recovery in the long term. This includes navigating the holidays sober.
Yes, in recovery, the holidays can feel difficult. However, once a plan is set in place, one will soon find that the holidays truly can be the best time of the year.
The holidays can be particularly difficult for individuals in recovery. This is why it is important for family members who aim to help their loved ones get through these potentially tough times to better understand the process. It is also important to remind family members that they deserve help over the holidays as well. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help you get on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about helping a loved one over the holidays, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
