It’s officially the holiday season! One major component of this time is family; whether it’s family visiting from out of town or you traveling, it is essential to know how to have a safe holiday season with your loved ones.

Often, a person’s first initiation to prescription drugs is through the bathroom medicine cabinet. Pills are easily accessible in the medicine cabinet, which makes it easier for someone to get their hands on them. Remember to Count your pills every two weeks to ensure that, not only are you taking your medications, but none of them are missing. Lock up your pills in a medication lock box and put it in a place no one would think to check. Doing this creates a barrier between the medications and the would-be abuser. Drop off your unneeded or expired medications at a drop box, found here, to ensure safe and proper disposal of your medications.

December can be a tough month for those struggling with a substance use disorder or for those who have someone close to them battling addiction. There is an increased risk of relapse during the holiday time, which can be attributed to added stress, either familial or financial. These factors can bring about past habits, leading to a relapse. There are several things that can be done to decrease the chance of a relapse, including:

• Working out regularly – maintaining a healthy outlet to get out your stress and frustrations
• Eating healthy – maintaining a healthy diet and eating enriching food can help keep stress levels at a minimum by keeping blood pressure at a normal level
• Meditation – practicing breathing exercises and mindfulness can help keep you stress-free
• Not attending events – if being around family or friends is triggering for you, do not attend them; it is always better to let someone down momentarily than to put yourself at risk
• Surround yourself with others – in opposition of the previous idea, surrounding yourself with others as a support system might help; this can be either other people in recovery, a mentor, sponsor, or support group 
• Ask for help when needed – it is okay to ask for help if you feel like you need it; it is better to ask for help than to struggle without reaching out  

The suggestions listed above are just a few of the many things that can be done to help stay sober during the holiday season. Different methods work for different people so finding what works for you might take some time, but it is worth the effort.

We at CLD hope you and your loved ones have a happy and healthy holiday season!