Reports Increase in Drug Abuse during the Holidays

Individuals attending outpatient drug treatment and drug rehab need support from family and friends during the holidays

The holiday season has a tendency to be extremely stressful for individuals in outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and drug rehab.  Moreover, those who are in early recovery often find it difficult to maintain physical and emotional sobriety. 

“Thanksgiving to New Year’s eve seems to be a time that many drug addicts and alcoholics get extremely triggered and have difficulty maintaining sobriety.  Many individuals in outpatient drug rehab conveniently have amnesia during this period and forget that one drink or one drug leads to disaster,” explains David Kolker, CEO of Sober Living Outpatient, an outpatient drug and alcohol rehab center Florida.

Although the holidays can be a time of gratefulness and appreciation, studies have confirmed that depression, drunk driving, suicide and domestic violence all spike during the holiday season. Additionally, it is not uncommon for these conditions to be exacerbated or linked to drug dependence and abuse.

The above statement regarding suicide was validated by a study published in 2005 by the Centers for Disease Control whereby 1) over 30% of suicide victims had positive screens for alcohol; 2) Over 15% had positive screens for opiates; and 3) 10% tested positive for Cocaine.

The following are some suggestions for dealing with drug dependence and alcohol abuse during the holidays:

1. Get plenty of rest, don’t over-do-it. Research suggests that individuals need between 7-8 hours of sleep per night.  Lack of sleep not only impacts the ability of an individual to remain sober during the holidays, it has been found to impact the risk for car accidents, increase the risk for obesity and impacts the risk of developing serious depression and anxiety.  Lack of sleep tends to increase and individuals susceptibility to letting their guard down and potentially relapsing.
   
   During the holidays it is easy to lose track of time while wrapping presents, attending holiday parties or waiting for Santa to come down the chimney!  Don’t fall into the temptation to be an owl and risk putting yourself in a situation whereby you are so tired that the reaction of taking a drink or drug goes from an after-thought to a reality. Bottom line, get plenty of rest and think clearly.
   
   
2. Stay close to those who are in recovery and help those who are new to recovery or recently completed inpatient or outpatient drug treatment. Aristotle stated: “In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief; they comfort and aid the old in their weakness, and they incite those in the prime of life to noble deeds.”
   
   The idea and feeling that ‘you are not alone’ is critical to emotional and physical sobriety, not only during the holidays, but also throughout the entire year. Studies have demonstrated that friendships are five times as important as physical intimacy in a marriage and a person who has a best friend that eats healthy is five times more apt to eat healthy himself or herself. Thus, it stands to reason that surrounding you with friends who are like-minded and seeking to remain clean and sober, increases the odds of remaining sober.
   
   
3. Have a sobriety plan and discuss it with others. In the business world, a business would fail without the utilization of a solid business plan. A plan reduces risk, increases efficiency, provides solid direction and most importantly incorporates contingency plans.
   
   Sobriety is no different than the planning stages of a successful business in that the creation of a solid plan equates to long-term success. outpatient alcohol rehab centers in Florida highly recommends that individuals create a contingency plan of ‘what I will do if I am in a situation whereby my sobriety is threatened?’ For example, if an individual is invited to a party, it is important to think ahead about whether it is possible to take a sober friend to the party or alternatively, is it possible to develop a plan whereby the individual arrives late and leaves early.
   
   Bottom line, make a plan and develop several contingencies before you are faced with challenging situations.
   
   
4. Review relapse prevention plans developed in outpatient drug treatment. A part of every outpatient drug treatment program is the development of a relapse prevention plan. During the holidays, including Christmas, Fourth of July or any other holiday that is often associated with drinking and drugging, it is important to review techniques that you learned in drug treatment. Some of these techniques often include a) telling on yourself; b) keeping in regular contact with sober supports; c) staying busy; d) attending alcoholics anonymous meetings; or e) helping at your drug treatment, i.e., visiting others, helping serve food etc.
   
   Self-care and continuing the utilization of plans developed in recovery and drug treatment can positively impact an individual’s success in recovery during the holidays. So, don’t forget what you have learned and develop a plan based on that knowledge.
   
   
5. Practice makes perfect. How does an athlete maintain success?  How does an individual become successful in business?  How does an individual who recently completed outpatient drug treatment attain emotional and physical sobriety?  The answer is practice.  Perfection and success does not occur over-night, it requires work and practice.
   
   Many programs of outpatient drug and alcohol treatments Florida utilize role-playing and practicing communication as part of their evidence-based modality of treatment. Why? Because these techniques are scientifically proven to yield positive results. Thus, a suggestion for any individual seeking to remain clean and sober during the holidays is to practice what you will say if presented with a drink or drug. The same way an athlete would never enter a game without first practicing is the same way a person seeking to remain sober should never enter a situation without practicing remaining sober.
   
   
6. Honor your feelings and don’t ignore grief. Many individuals in treatment and recovery face challenges regarding grief and sadness.  Statistics indicate that over 90% of individuals who have recently lost a loved one want to talk about the person. Face your fears and talk.

A huge benefit to being in recovery or having attended drug treatment is the network of individuals who are truly in your corner. Additionally, outpatient Florida drug rehab Delray Beach teaches that honoring your feelings, showing emotion and positively reminiscing about ‘the good ole’ days’ can help an individual remain clean and sober during the holidays. Remember, it is not uncommon for the holiday’s to trigger intense emotions about grief and loss and most importantly, honor yourself and others with self-care. More info is available about ‘outpatient alcohol rehab centers in Florida’ at: http://slopatient.blogspot.com