The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and quality time spent with family— but if you or someone close to you has recently completed treatment, it can leave your family feeling anxious as to how this will affect the holiday festivities and how recovery during the Holidays is possible for the one’s you love.
Making Your Loved One Feel Welcome After Being in Treatment
If you are noticing that your loved one who has recently completed treatment is struggling around the holidays, throughout this blog we have included some behaviors to be aware of. For those that suspect that they may have a loved one who could benefit from a drug or alcohol treatment program, it’s important for them to know that there are treatments available when they are ready to seek help, and that Encore Outpatient Services may be a good option.
Celebrating the holidays at home might seem like an impossible feat, but with a bit of preparation and understanding, along with a healthy dose of compassion, it is not only possible, but it can turn into a joyous experience for all. Making your loved one feel welcome and comfortable in their own home during the holidays is important. It is not only a crucial step on their journey to recovery during the Holidays, but if not done properly can hinder their feelings of self-confidence and self-worth.
Drawing on knowledge from our years of experience as leaders in the field of drug and alcohol treatment, along with our team of professionals’ first-hand experience here at Encore Outpatient Services, we will show you how to put together the pieces, resulting in the culmination of your loved one feeling welcome and at home after they complete substance use disorder or addiction treatment.
1. Make Your Loved One Feel Safe and Supported
First, it’s important to take a few steps to ensure that your loved one feels supported and safe during the holiday season. Creating an environment filled with warmth and compassion is the best way to welcome your loved one with open arms during early stages of their recovery journey. It can be helpful to remember that they may have felt like they were in a world of all-encompassing negativity and negative energy before having the courage to embark on the arduous road to recovery.
Depending on the specific circumstances of your loved one’s treatment, it may be helpful to make sure that alcohol and other drugs are not present in the home. When possible, you can ask your guests or other family members to be discreet about alcoholic beverages or other substances that they bring to your home.
Ideally, it would be best to kindly ask them if they can bring alternative non-alcoholic beverages to this year’s festivities or abstain from the use of drugs. Additionally, it would be very helpful to make sure that any conversations surrounding the topics of drug use, alcohol and addiction are avoided in order to remain respectful of your loved one.
2. Provide A Comfortable, Positive Environment
When someone comes home after starting their recovery process, it is common for them to feel unsure of themselves and what the best way to act is in certain social situations. By providing your loved one with an environment that makes them feel comfortable and at ease, you can avoid making them feel like the black sheep or outcast in the family.
This requires a bit of preparation for your home before your loved one arrives. One of the most important things to remember is to remove anything in the home that is related to your loved one’s past drug or alcohol use which could be extremely triggering.
For instance, you should remove all drug paraphernalia, along with any old photographs where drug use or drug-related activities are present. Doing everything in your power to prevent your loved one from relapsing should be the number one priority, especially in the beginning stages of recovery.
Additionally, before your loved one comes for the holidays, you should kindly ask the members of your family and friends that you will be spending time with, to refrain from talking about any negative events from your loved ones past.
It’s best to play it safe during this time, so try to avoid asking your loved one to “recount the story of their addiction and treatment experience”. While this may depend on the individual, it can be difficult for some to talk about, so it’s best to avoid putting them in a potentially uncomfortable situation.
3. Do What You Can To Create Joy For All Your Guests
Celebrating the holidays can be incredibly meaningful for those in recovery. It offers an excellent opportunity to facilitate newfound memories and bond with those closest to them.
While it may seem trying at times, do your best to create joy for your guests by ensuring that everyone feels included and is having a fun time. To take some of the pressure off, it could be helpful to plan activities that everyone can enjoy, such as playing board games or watching movies together.
It’s important to remember that the recovery process isn’t a one-time event. It is an ongoing process involving copious amounts of healing, growth and love. Making the holidays enjoyable and comfortable for your loved one in recovery can be a great way to show them that you are there for them every step of the way.
4. Take Time to Relax, Regroup and Check In On Your Loved One
Finally, make sure to take a break and check in on your loved one throughout the holiday season. It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of family gatherings and all of the holiday festivities.
It’s important to always remind yourself that recovery is an ongoing process. By taking the time to check in with your loved one, they will feel less alone and will appreciate your support. Every now and then, just make sure to ask your loved one how they are doing and if there is anything they need that you can provide.
Recovery During the Holidays is Possible With the Help of Encore Outpatient Services
By following these steps, you can make the holiday season more enjoyable for the entire family. With the holiday season just around the corner, you could notice that after completing treatment, your loved one may still be struggling.
At Encore Outpatient Services our team of compassionate professionals take pride in being there for those who are going through treatment whether it be for substance use disorders or addiction treatment. We strive to make this, and every holiday season a time filled with love, light, joy and celebration for the entire family.
Celebrating at home may seem daunting at times, but with a bit of preparation and understanding, it can be a positive and rewarding experience for all. If you think you may have a loved one who could benefit from a drug or alcohol treatment program, it’s important for them to know that there are treatments available when they are ready, and that they can seek help at Encore Outpatient Services.
Call now (703) 436-8158