The 9 Causes Of Addiction Relapse During The Holidays
Generally, vacations are a period of rest and well-being; and something similar happens with specific days when, for cultural reasons and linked to tradition, something is celebrated and we carry out special activities during our free time.
However, For people who have developed an addiction, going through these times of the year means facing a greater risk of relapse, and this is a challenge. Let’s see why.
Why is it easier to relapse into addiction during the holidays?
Relapses occur when the person returns to the behavior to which they were addicted (in the case of shopping addiction, gambling addiction or sex addiction) or returns to consume the substance that caused the addiction (such as addiction to alcohol, drugs or medications).
This is a summary of the main causes of addiction relapse that occur during the holidays.
1. Social pressure
The social pressure to which some people are exposed during vacation periods or festivities can trigger dynamics that push them to return to consuming substances or to carry out those activities to which they were addicted.
For example, during the festive season it is customary to organize dinners with alcoholic drinks it is provided, a certain level of excesses with alcohol are normalized, etc.
The stress caused by having to prepare for the meeting also causes great discomfort in the person and such an imbalance in your mental health that unexpected relapses may occur.
There are many sources of stress to which people are exposed during the holidays, among the most common we can highlight preparations for any dinner or celebration, buying food, cleaning the house or doing Christmas shopping.
3. Frustration when comparing one’s own plans with those of others
The frustration generated by comparing yourself to other families in which there are apparently no addicts and can enjoy seemingly “perfect” vacations and parties can also cause a great impact on the mental health of someone who may have suffered from an addiction.
That is why it is so important to have the support of family and loved ones during moments of celebration, so that the person does not feel low in spirit.
4. Greater exposure to advertising content (during Christmas)
Exposure to a large number of advertisements for alcoholic beverages and other types of products and services, especially at Christmas, can also precipitate the onset of a relapse.
This media exposure can also function as an agent of added pressure for a person to consume alcohol, tobacco or other substances.
5. Family tensions and conflicts
The anxiety generated by having to meet with family members that we have not seen for a long time is also one of the main causes that can trigger a relapse to certain addictions.
Many people develop addictive behaviors to overcome their anxiety problems, which is why when anxiety levels are high again it is possible that the addictive behavior occurs again. In families where there are various regular conflicts and tempers are heated Relapses can also occur in people who have had any type of addiction.
In this way, it is important to maintain a relaxed atmosphere and avoid all types of discussions so as not to upset anyone who may be having a bad time.
6. Reunion with harmful social circles
During the detoxification and rehabilitation processes, it is recommended to cut off the social environment in which the substance consumption occurred. In this sense, in times when the person is more unemployed and may stop following their daily routines, resumes certain habits due to a lack of time management preparation, and can re-interact in those social circles that predispose to addiction. In these situations relapses can occur.
8. Loss of regular hours and indecision about what to do
Clear schedules and daily discipline in carrying out routines are essential to not relapse into addiction; However, during vacation or summer periods it is more difficult to have references on what to do, unless we have made a plan beforehand.
By losing their usual schedules, it is possible that some people are more predisposed to relapsing into their addiction, since the discomfort caused by not knowing what to spend your time on It makes them see drug use and the rest of the behaviors associated with dependence as an easy way to feel that they are doing something relevant and capable of focusing their attention on a specific task.
9. Abandonment of treatment
Finally, one of the causes that can precipitate a relapse is the abandonment of detoxification and rehabilitation treatment in any addictive disorder, something that often occurs during periods in which there are vacations linked to a time in which there are several holidays. . That is, this “break” with everyday life is used as a kind of self-imposed excuse to stop going to therapy, something that exposes the person to a higher risk of relapse
It is important to take this phenomenon into account, since during both the summer and Christmas holidays, this is when the most relapses occur, according to statistics.
