Alcoholism treatment does not take a break during the holiday season, but you can still enjoy this special time of year. Find new ways to enjoy the holidays with new, healthy, recovery-friendly family traditions.

Remember the True Meaning of the Holidays

The holiday season will seem less challenging for you when you consider what they are really supposed to be about. Instead of reminiscing about wild holiday parties in the past or consuming holiday-themed alcoholic drinks at home, remember that none of these activities have anything at all to do with the meaning of Christmas or any of the other holidays that take place around this time of year.

The holidays are a time to focus on gratitude, giving and joy. It is a time for spending extra quality time with friends, family and other loved ones.

Creating New Traditions

In your alcoholism treatment program you learned how to create new hobbies to replace your former unhealthy pastimes. You also learned how to meet new people with similar, healthy mindsets. These same efforts may be applied to the holiday season, where traditions are concerned. Do away with your old traditions of drinking spiked egg nog and late-night partying, and replace them with healthy traditions that you will enjoy. Here are a few ideas.

• Focusing on holiday traditions for your children or for the other children in your family. These traditions can be anything from attending holiday parades to decorating the house as a family effort.
• Learn new holiday recipes to share with your loved ones. Cooking and baking are healthy activities that can also be plenty of fun. Enjoyable and healthy activities are important for your recovery, according to your alcoholism treatment program.
• Rather than partying all night long on Christmas Eve, go to sleep at a decent hour and wake up to see the inspiring sunrise on Christmas morning.
• Volunteer your time to a great cause.
• Watch holiday movies and listen to holiday music at home.
• Go caroling in your neighborhood.

Using Your Alcoholism Treatment Relapse Prevention Strategies

Your relapse prevention strategies are meant to be used each and every day, so don’t forget about them in the flurry of events of the holiday season. Update your strategies for the utmost relevance and to reflect your current needs and triggers for this time of year. Work on steps for safeguarding your recovery as you avoid these harmful stimuli.

If you or a woman you love is having problems with drug abuse, alcohol dependency or mental illness, women’s drug rehab may be the answer.  Remember that recovery from addiction and alcohol abuse treatment means learning how to cope with intensely emotional situations, and identifying when you need help and support.  Treatment for addiction relapse, counseling and aftercare can help you do this, so please call us today.  Destination Hope is a full service addiction and women’s health treatment facility in Florida for women who suffer from substance abuse and behavioral health issues.