Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, share gratitude, and enjoy the comfort of familiar traditions. But for people in addiction recovery, the holiday season presents unique emotional challenges. Family gatherings may stir up old memories, unresolved tension, or exposure to triggers that make it hard to stay true to yourself and your goals.
It’s critical to protect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being during this time of year. With planning and self-awareness, you can enjoy a meaningful Thanksgiving while staying grounded in your recovery.
Identify Your Triggers
Holidays like Thanksgiving can be full of emotional and environmental triggers. Perhaps family tension resurfaces when relatives gather, leading to conflict or discomfort. Or maybe your family’s traditions include drinking during or after dinner, making it hard to avoid temptation. Even something as simple as returning to your childhood home can stir emotions that increase your vulnerability.
This year, anticipate those triggers in advance. Ask yourself:
- What people or situations tend to make me nervous or upset?
- How can I set healthy boundaries before and during the event?
- What can I do if I start feeling overwhelmed?
Having an exit strategy allows you to handle tricky moments more gracefully.
Be Self-Aware
Even if you typically enjoy Thanksgiving, holidays can be emotionally taxing. Toxic dynamics, unresolved issues, or unspoken expectations create pressure. Be honest with yourself about your limits and emotional state.
If you start feeling anxious or tempted, take a few minutes to pause, recenter yourself, and regain control of your emotions.
- Excuse yourself and take a short walk outside.
- Step into another room for a few minutes of quiet meditation or deep breathing.
- Text or call a trusted friend, sponsor, or counselor for grounding support.
Set Boundaries and Manage Expectations
Your sobriety is your highest priority. If an event or gathering seems likely to jeopardize your progress, it’s perfectly acceptable to set boundaries or decline an invitation.
If you decide to attend, make a firm plan in advance:
- Bring your own nonalcoholic beverages and prepare a response if someone offers you an alcoholic drink.
- Practice polite, assertive ways to decline alcohol or uncomfortable conversations.
- Have an exit plan if the event becomes too stressful.
Focus on Gratitude and Connection
At its heart, Thanksgiving is a holiday centered on gratitude. Even while managing family challenges, try to focus on the positive aspects of your recovery. Reflect on how far you’ve come and what you’re thankful for – your health, your support system, and your ability to make different choices today.
Connecting with supportive, understanding people – whether that’s a recovery group, sober friends, or peers at Hope Lodge – can help you experience the holiday as a celebration of resilience and renewal.
When the Holidays Feel Overwhelming
If you find that the holidays bring intense cravings or emotions you can’t manage on your own, it may be time to seek professional help. Relapse risk increases during high-stress seasons, but you are never alone.
At Hope Lodge, we offer compassionate, evidence-based care to help our clients stabilize, strengthen their coping skills, and rebuild their confidence in sobriety. With a peaceful residential facility in Lake Arrowhead, same-day admissions, and acceptance of many forms of insurance, we make it easy to get the support you need when it matters most.
Find Peace and Strength This Thanksgiving
The holidays can be a test of your recovery, but they can also be an opportunity to grow. You can create new, sober traditions that bring genuine joy and connection by staying mindful, sticking to your boundaries, and prioritizing your mental health.
If you’re struggling this Thanksgiving, contact us today. We’re here to help you remain safe and on track through the holidays and beyond.