A number of addicts while in the grips of their addiction become estranged from family members and in many cases have lost their welcome at family gatherings due to past indiscretions. Rebuilding ties can take years of recovery, leaving many with the feeling of loneliness during the holidays.
A well known physician in the field of addiction made this list of common challenges that present themselves at this time of the year:
- Families can be a strong trigger, especially during the holidays.
- Painful memories of holidays past come to the forefront.
- Social situations offer an abundance of alcohol and days with opportunities to relapse.
- Travel and busy schedules increase overall stress and fatigue and can lead to emotional swings.
- We are often away from our support network and our routines, enhancing a feeling of aloneness and making it harder to "work our program." We also often "beat ourselves up" because we believe we should be happy now that we are sober, but we often actually feel more isolated.
We wish everyone a happy holiday and hope you all stay safe...