5 Reasons Why Spending Holidays in Rehab is Right

Spending the holidays in rehab away from your family may sound extremely unappealing, and understandably so. For many people, the holidays are spent in a group environment, celebrating with special activities, parties, and games. There are always plenty of food, drinks, and fun to be had, and it’s a great time to catch up with family members you may not see very often.

Is Spending the Holidays in Rehab Actually Better Than Waiting Until After New Year’s?

For most people who need treatment, yes, starting during the holidays is generally better than waiting. The holiday season brings some of the year’s strongest relapse triggers (parties, family stress, easy access to alcohol), and facing them without support is risky, while “waiting until January” often slips into months of continued use. Rehab during the holidays offers structure, a trigger-free environment, and a community of others in recovery during a genuinely vulnerable stretch, though the right timing always depends on your individual situation and safety.

As a result, spending the holidays in a drug and alcohol rehab center may not be your idea of an exciting Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration, but there are actually several reasons why doing so is more advantageous than you might think. Before you write it off as an option, consider these five benefits of completing an alcohol and drug rehab program during the holiday season.

1. Avoid triggers and harmful situations.

People are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol during the months of November and December and they are also less likely to get help for their addiction.¹ Vehicle crashes on the interstate also increase by about 25 percent during the Thanksgiving week and the primary cause of fatalities in an increased use of alcohol.² Unfortunately, drinking and celebrating in excess are often accepted behaviors during this time of year. This can be a very dangerous environment for individuals who are struggling with addiction and dependence. To make matters even worse, the holidays can also drudge up memories and feelings associated with past drug use with certain sights, sounds, and holiday traditions. These triggers can be difficult to face without additional support while in early recovery.

2. Learn how to celebrate sober and prepare for next year.

Celebrations are typically associated with the overconsumption of food, alcohol, and/or illicit drugs. Individuals in early recovery will have a much more difficult time resisting all the temptation that comes with the holiday season because they haven’t spent a significant amount of time sober yet. Instead of putting yourself right back into the fire, we highly recommend giving yourself some time to adjust to your new, sober lifestyle and sit this year’s celebrations out. At our drug and alcohol rehab center, you’ll have the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in sobriety with your peers in rehab and our friendly staff. This is the perfect time to celebrate the season without the influence of drugs and alcohol.

3. Give your family the best gift. Your sobriety.

In the midst of your addiction, your actions most likely caused your family a great deal of pain, stress, and frustration. Addiction is an extremely destructive disease that affects you, and all of your family members, friends, and coworkers around you. Rather than giving your spouse, children, or parents a physical gift, why not give them something life-changing like your sobriety. This is a gift they will always remember and cherish, even if you can’t physically be with them this Thanksgiving or Christmas. Plus, there will be plenty of other Thanksgivings and Christmases to celebrate with them and they’ll likely be a whole lot more memorable when you’re sober.

4. Celebrate with others in recovery.

The thought of spending your holidays in a rehab center without your family may make you feel lonely and isolated, but the opposite couldn’t be more true. At our alcohol and drug rehab center, you’ll be surrounded by friendly staff and people in recovery, just like you. We are all right here with you to celebrate the holidays and celebrate your newfound sobriety. While it’s natural to miss your family during the holidays, you should know that you’re here for a great reason and that your loved ones appreciate the sacrifice you’re making to better yourself.

5. Spend the time reflecting.

Spending the holidays in a rehab center is the perfect opportunity to reflect on past holidays, your behaviors, and focus on what you want to change. Maybe last Christmas wasn’t the best time for your family because you spend it binge drinking. Maybe your family avoids talking about last Thanksgiving because you couldn’t control yourself at your husband’s company function. These memories may be difficult and painful to think about, but they serve as great motivation to spend this year’s holiday season changing your lifestyle for the better. Addiction doesn’t have to ruin all your family memories and functions. You can be free of it by taking the time to focus on your mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. Use this time to reflect and take responsibilities for your actions as you pursue a new life in recovery.

If the thought of spending the holidays in a rehab center is keeping you from seeking the help you need, think again. Making the decision to enroll in drug and alcohol rehab now can be extremely rewarding and life-changing, and when you look back, you won’t remember missing the holidays with your family. You’ll remember the year you got sober and changed your life for good.

At Nova Recovery Center, we provide a warm and welcoming environment in which clients can enjoy the holidays. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, we provide a two-hour visitation for clients and their families and our head chef crafts a hearty and mouthwatering holiday buffet. You and your family are invited to dine together at Nova during this time. The holidays at Nova are a fun time for everyone here and if you have questions about it, we encourage you to speak to a member of our admissions staff today.

We understand that this celebratory time of year may not be the same in rehab, but our caring staff is here to support you as you start sobriety. If there is anything we can do to make your holiday stay in our rehab center more comfortable, please let us know.

References:

1. https://blogs.psychcentral.com/addiction-recovery/2012/11/5-ironies-that-keep-addicts-sick-over-the-holidays/
2. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-11-combined-alcohol-weather-deadly.html

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