The holidays bring a lot of celebration and joy, but can also be a trigger for people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. Experts say there are steps you can take to ease the pressure, not only for those in recovery, but also for family and friends who want to support you.
South Jersey native Jared Dotts said he spent 10 years in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. He said the birth of his son three years ago was his ultimate wake-up call, and now he’s been sober for two and a half years.
“I just believed in myself for once and tried, and here I am,” Dotts said.
Dotts says his recovery is a never-ending journey and the holidays can be an uphill battle. Everything from social gatherings to stress can be overwhelming.
“When we’re recovering early and trying to repair the relationships that we’ve done so much damage to and you know being around family and now just trying to show up, it becomes a little bit difficult because we’re not just trying to do our own recovery and our own sobriety, but we’re also just trying to learn how to live a normal life,” Dotts said.
Colleen Snow, Director of Alcohol and Drug Administration at the Camden County Health Department, encourages her staff to conduct additional checks and follow-ups this time of year. Snow says mentally preparing for the holidays and setting realistic expectations can help people regardless of their stage of recovery.
“Be open and really do some mindfulness and self-reflection to see where you are and what you really can and can’t handle,” Snow said.
Family members can also help by being understanding if someone cannot attend an event or leaves a gathering early, she said.
“It’s about them and their safety and how they’re dealing with their life situation now,” Snow said.
For Dotts, it’s all about connecting with others in the recovery community and being self-aware in social situations.
The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 29 million Americans would suffer from what they call an “alcohol use disorder” by 2023. Some addiction counselors say contacting your county health department is a good option to find local, affordable treatment.
Liz Crawford
