The holidays are filled with joy – but there can be stress, too. To safeguard your sobriety this season you’ll need the support of your friends and family more than ever – but how can you ensure that they help (not hurt) your recovery efforts? It may sound simple, but you need to tell them what you need (and what you don’t need) from them during the holidays and beyond. It’s not easy communicating these needs, but the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration offers a few suggestions to help get the dialogue going. Use this list as a starting point and tweak it to make your own. Consider talking to recovery peers and counselors for more ideas. What you need this season (and beyond) …

• Listen to my feelings without judging or criticizing or giving advice.
• Help me eat (and/or cook) nutritious food.
• Make sure I take my vitamins and other medications.
• Play me a funny movie or YouTube video.
• Put on some relaxing music.
• Let me rest.
• Encourage me to move (exercise with me).
• Lead me through a relaxation or stress reduction technique.
• Volunteer or give back with me.
• Provide materials so I can draw or paint.
• Give me the space to express my feelings or hold me.
• Don’t talk to me (or do talk to me).
• Encourage and reassure me.
• Don’t become impatient with me.
• Provide understanding if I turn down an invitation or task.
• Be there for me if I encounter a trigger or tempting situation.
• Don’t drink or use in front of me or before seeing me.
• Learn the warning signs of relapse.

Intensive Healing This Holiday Season Our curriculum fuses the 12-step program with clinical programming to help clients heal their bodies and address the underlying issues that lead to substance use, including  family dynamics. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love this holiday season, call us today: 866-922-0776.