Transitions Women- I've Always Dreaded the Holidays......

As the holidays approach, staff at the programs of Transitions, listen to the women’s stories of struggle.

“I’ve always dreaded the holidays.  I overdosed a day before Christmas in 2005.  My fiancée found me.  Somehow I survived but three days later he was dead-a suicide from an overdose.  He was distraught over finding me days earlier. The next two years, I spent the holidays loaded to get numb and through the horrible guilt and grief.”

“I always seem to get myself into some type of trouble during the holidays.  I think that it has to do with the loneliness.”

“I can’t spend Christmas with my family and I miss being with them.  Mom and dad always get drunk along with my brother and his wife. They don’t respect my recovery.  I spend Christmas Day at an AA party.  It’s the only way I can make it.”

“The holidays are the hardest time of year for me.  Ever since he left with the kids, I just want to sleep from Thanksgiving to the New Year.  Anything that reminds me of Christmas makes me cry.”
Most of us celebrate the holiday season with friends and family, joyful parties and abundant gifts. 

But for many, the holiday season is anything but joyful.  People in recovery find it especially difficult to “make it through.”  Here are some tips from our chemical dependency counselor, Kathy Lindner.

Why is it so hard?

• Celebrations with family and friends often include alcohol or drugs.
• People are pressured by family & friends to use because they “can quit when the holidays are over.”
• Estrangement from family engenders feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• People in recovery feel like they don’t fit in anymore because they are not using.
• Depression can worsen during the holidays, tempting folks to “numb out.”
• There is a perception that alcohol or drug use will help one enjoy the holidays or get into the mood.
• Pressures increase and people are tempted to drink or use as a way to cope.

The following tips can help those in recovery cope during the holidays.

• Take your own beverage to festivities.
• Involve yourself in 12-step support groups and activities.
• Take time to relax, eat healthy food and get enough rest and sleep
• Spend time with your support system, sponsor, church group, clean and sober friends, your children and family.
• Exercise 3-4 times a week to increase energy level.
• Maintain the structure you already have in place prior to the holidays, such as your appointments, meetings, job, sleep schedule, dietary patterns and activities.
• Avoid high risk situations and places.
• Consider doing volunteer work, outings with friends, hobbies or other creative activities.
• Have your refusal lines ready.