Thanksgiving and Addiction

Growing up my mom liked to play a game every Thanksgiving once we all sat down for dinner. She would ask everyone to go around the table and name a few things that they were grateful for.

Our friends and family would then go around the table in turn and list things such as our health, new jobs, personal challenges we had overcome, etc. One year, my mom’s cousin quietly and simply stated, “My recovery.” After years of struggling with addiction he had finally sought help and was on his path to long-term recovery.

Thanksgiving and Recovery

It’s no secret that maintaining long-term addiction recovery is difficult, but it can be even more challenging during the holidays.

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, added pressures may hit individuals in recovery while they get together with family and friends during the festive time.

For example, Thanksgiving get-togethers often involve alcohol with dinner, a common trigger for individuals in recovery. Also, being surrounded by larger groups of people may put individuals in recovery under stress if forced to discuss their addiction, treatment or recovery.

What should you do?

My mom’s cousin’s words are a clear example of how important it is to maintain your gratitude and focus on the strides you’ve made in recovery during the holidays. Even positive stress, like being surrounded by family and friends during the holidays, can have a negative impact on feelings and emotions; which in turn can run the risk of impeding an individual’s recovery.

Gratitude in addiction recovery is all about finding and focusing on the important things in your life you can be thankful for; which can help to release negative thoughts and emotions that may be holding your recovery back.

Dealing with alcohol and drug addiction around the holidays can be difficult, but you can make it through. This Thanksgiving take a moment to stop and think about your gratitude, and realize how far you’ve come in your recovery.

Expressing gratitude not only invokes positive thinking, it can improve your physical and mental well-being. Gratitude also gives you more energy and the type of outlook necessary to do things that will make your life more fulfilling.

Drug Rehab During the Holidays

The holidays often deter individuals from entering a drug rehab program so they don’t miss being with their families. What you may not have considered is the holiday season may be the best time to make the difficult decision to seek drug rehab treatment.

What better time to give yourself and your loved ones the gift of recovery. Also, entering a drug rehab center during the holiday season will connect you with the people you should be surrounded by during this delicate time. Instead of partaking in the holiday festivities that involve substance abuse and added pressures, you can take the time to personally enrich your life with a clean bill of health and a positive outlook on the future.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out, your life is yours for the taking.

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