Missing Holiday Traditions Due to Drug Treatment: How to Get Through the Season

College Student Buying Cocaine

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

Having an addiction to drugs or alcohol can bring about the most horrific consequences to you and those you love, making it difficult to function and handle even basic daily tasks.

Some individuals may be in denial about their circumstances and delay the need for treatment and help until it is too late. Others may find it difficult to admit their struggle and reach out for the help and support they need.

Sometimes interventions are needed to help a person understand the severity of their addiction and the immediate need for treatment to recover.

A person who is struggling with addiction might fear missing out on family events, traditions, and more if admitted to treatment, and this can be a difficult consequence to face. This is perhaps felt most during the holiday season, when traditions that may have been customary for years are pushed to the wayside to prioritize treatment for addiction.

Hesitation

If you have found yourself in this position, you may be feel hesitant to go into treatment during the holiday season. However, it is important to reflect on the severity of potential consequences that may result from postponing necessary intervention.

While you may be disappointed on participating in things you are used to doing with friends and family during this time of year, you must realistically ask yourself how much you are able to be involved.

man sitting on edge of cliffPerhaps you are physically present with your friends and family, but if you are under the influence of an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you are likely distanced emotionally and psychologically.

Being under the influence of substances means you are not functioning to your full potential as a human being, and this is likely hindering the relationships that you currently have.

While missing out on the holiday season can be disappointing and sobering, thing of the long time benefits you are reaping by choosing to get help and treatment for your addiction.

By committing to recovery now you are ensuring that you will have the ability and potential to be there for everything that matters to you in the future to come. Give yourself the gift of recovery and the promise of many more holidays in the future.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

If you have been through treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction during the holiday season, what were ways that you got through this difficult time? What support might you offer another person who is going through a similar situation?


Crystal Karges photo

Crystal Karges

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