Learning to Celebrate Without Prescription Drug Abuse

Man in deep thought on the impact of drug withdrawal.

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

The process of overcoming and recovering from prescription drug abuse is one that requires professional intervention and a collaboration of treatment professionals.

If you are in recovery from prescription drug abuse, you can likely testify to the time, effort, and commitment that have been required of you to get better and overcome your addiction to these substances.

However your addiction to prescription drugs may have started, whether if offered from a well-meaning friend or family, or the abuse/misuse of your own prescription medication, the process of recovering is one that involves physical, mental and emotional aspects.

There may be certain times during your life where you feel more tempted to reuse prescription medications for abusive purposes than others, such as the holiday season.

If you commonly resorted to prescription medication use in order to achieve a high, numb out of painful circumstances or overwhelming emotions, or to avoid your reality, your natural response to these types of situations may be to resort back to prescription drug use.

Desire to Abuse

The holiday season, in all its celebrations and festivities, can also bring about surmounting stress, anxiety, and depression for many individuals. As you find yourself in recovery from prescription drug abuse and addiction, you must also be ready to face potential situations in which you are tempted to use and abuse prescription medications again.

Psychologist listen to girl problem.This may be more common if you continue to associate with social circles in which it is customary to utilize prescription medications for this purpose.

Other than avoiding this type of scenario completely in order to protect and maintain your sobriety, it is important to develop healthier coping mechanisms and learn other ways of celebrating without turning back to drugs.

Finding and developing healthy habits, behaviors and new hobbies can be a step in the right direction.

You can also begin by associating with individuals who care about and support your recovery efforts as well so that drugs never need to come back in the picture. Remember how much effort it has taken you to get where you are today and ask yourself it is worth it to go back to a dark place that is addiction once more.

Whatever season of life you may be in, anticipating challenging situations and being prepared with healthy coping mechanisms can empower you to overcome any challenges you may be facing.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

If you are in recovery from prescription drug abuse, what resources or tools have been helpful to you throughout this process? How might you suggest coping with situations in which it is tempting to use prescription drugs again?


Crystal Karges photo

Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.


The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 25, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com