Thanksgiving in Recovery: Gratitude Matters

Friday, November 22, 2019
recovery

If you are like many individuals in early recovery, then you may be dreading the coming week. Thanksgiving is less than a week away, which means a good many men and women are about to have their recovery tested.

It’s an unfortunate fact that higher rates of relapse accompany significant holidays. Select days of the year bring out many undesired emotions; left unchecked, they can put people on a path toward drugs and alcohol.

During the holiday season, one must keep their finger on the pulse of his or her emotions. They must be willing to be open and honestly talk about their feelings with their support network. Bottling up how you feel is a recipe for disaster in recovery.

Perhaps this is your first Thanksgiving in recovery. If so, then Celebrate Hope is happy to report to you that keeping your sobriety intact is possible. However, preventing a relapse will require extra effort on your part.

You may find that you have to double up on meetings in the coming days. Even if you feel a desire to isolate, you must resist the temptation. Stick close to those who help you continue down the road of recovery each day. You are not alone; you have allies who are committed to supporting you, and they need your help too. Men and women recover together!

Thanksgiving in Recovery

The holiday season demands much of men and women in recovery. You will find that maintaining a positive attitude is of significant benefit. Everything may not be right in your life, but remember this path you are on is a process. It’s probably fair to say that your things are starting to look up when compared to where things stood just a short time ago.

Thanksgiving is about more than merely sitting down with friends and family to eat turkey and pumpkin pie. This time of year is an opportunity to exercise an attitude of gratitude. Each day in sobriety is both a gift and an accomplishment worthy of recognition.

Taking the time to make a gratitude list will help you stay grounded, especially if you find yourself having difficulty during the holiday. In recovery, men and women have so much to be thankful for, as it is a blessing to no longer be in the grips of addiction. You have real friends in your life today; people who care about your progress and well-being.

Take stock of all the individuals who have accompanied you on this remarkable journey of healing. Let them know how vital they are to your continued progress. Doing so will not only brighten their spirits; it will make you feel better too.

Perhaps you are working a program of the 12 Step variety; if so, then you probably have a sponsor. Take a moment to share with him or her your sincerest gratitude; it’s worth remembering that their guidance has been instrumental, day in and day out. It costs nothing to be grateful, but being the opposite can be costly.

Again, you must remain close to your support network in the following days. Be sure to attend your regular meetings and then some. You may find that going to several meetings on Thanksgiving is beneficial, as well. Share with your support network how you are feeling, especially if you find yourself experiencing cravings. It’s always easier to call before you fall; never hesitate to reach out for help if you are in a situation that can jeopardize your program.

Faith-Based Addiction Recovery

Celebrate Hope is here for men and women who require assistance with alcohol or substance use disorders. Our highly qualified team is also equipped to treat men and women who meet the criteria for co-occurring mental illnesses.

At Celebrate Hope, we combine evidence-based therapies with the teachings of Jesus Christ to help individuals get on a path toward healing. Please reach out at your earliest convenience to learn more about the programs we offer and to begin the life-changing journey of recovery.

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