Imagine if one Christmas holiday spent in drug and alcohol rehab addiction could be exchanged for a lifetime of happy and healthy holidays. Many people who struggle with addiction find Christmas the most convenient time to visit a treatment facility. Although spending winter holidays away from family and friends might seem unfavorable, inpatient rehab allows you to escape a fatal overdose and live a life free of addiction within a safe, structured environment.
As a gift to yourself and your loved ones, you might consider Christmas in recovery and seeking treatment for an addiction to drugs or alcohol. They will see that you are committed to improving your life and prioritize them over harmful substances. This will help them see the true you. In addition, this will give you a head start in achieving your personal goals for next year.
Here are seven reasons you should consider going to rehab for drug or alcohol addiction this Christmas.
1. During rehab, you won’t spend Christmas by yourself
Inpatient rehab will provide you with the support and encouragement of peers who understand your struggle and share your determination to overcome addiction. Although most people spend Christmas with their loved ones, not everyone has the same opportunity to be together. A person suffering from addiction may feel depressed or lonely as a result.
A 2020 ValuePenguin survey found that 11% of Americans felt lonely heading into the winter holidays. In addition, survey respondents indicated that at least 13% had been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, which can be found in as high as 5% of Americans.
If you find Christmas lonely and are struggling with alcohol or drugs, it is a good idea to start recovery during the holidays. You will be surrounded by people who understand your struggles and can help you get free.
2. You will receive the gift of recovery
One of the best gifts you can give yourself is to cleanse your body and learn how to live a drug-free life. Your gift of long-term recovery will also benefit your family and friends, as addiction can be a severe disease. Maybe drugs or alcohol have made you unpredictable around holidays.
It is best to get treatment to break the cycle that makes Christmas hard for you and your family. It is a gift to your health to decide to go to rehab at Christmas so you can start the new year with a fresh slate and a clear head.
3. Avoid the “New Year’s Resolution” crowd
Most people wait until the new year to begin their journey toward achieving their personal goals. Some people prefer to be with their families during Christmas, so they put off starting treatment until next year. Consider how many people make it a New Year’s resolution to quit drugs or alcohol and go to the gym. As January gets busier, so does addiction rehab.
For people struggling with alcohol or drugs, wait until January 1st to seek treatment. Hathaway Recovery is one of the many rehab centers open 24/7, 365 days per year. However, despite business continuing, the facilities are less busy during winter holidays.
This means that Christmas is a great time to get into rehab and have a more personal treatment experience. There is no need to make a New Year’s Resolution if you can learn healthy coping skills that will last a lifetime and carry on into the new year.
Our goal is to warmly welcome all who arrive to help them get the help they need.
All I want for Christmas is to be clean and sober!
4. Christmas is a great time to keep your job.
Many people postpone treatment beyond the Christmas holiday because they can’t afford it or fear losing their job. However, most addiction treatment programs require that you stay at least 28 days in a rehabilitation facility to ensure successful and sustained recovery. It’s easy to understand why someone might be anxious about staying in treatment for a prolonged period.
The American Disabilities Act and Family and Medical Leave Act cover people with substance abuse problems. Employers can’t fire you if the ADA approves your enrollment in an addiction treatment program. In addition, FMLA allows you to take up 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for rehab.
In some cases, you may also be eligible for enough PTO (paid time off) to compensate for the lost income during rehabilitation. If that is the case, you can use your vacation to restore your health. You’ll be the most fulfilled person you can be when everyone returns to work in the new year. You can see that Christmas is a great time to get help for your addiction.
5. It is possible to escape from the distractions and relapse triggers
Let’s be honest. Christmas isn’t always the most magical time of the year for everyone because of holidays and substance abuse or co-occurring mental disorders. Christmas can provide family and quality time, but it can also be stressful for others because of holiday triggers and substance abuse.
People with substance abuse problems may find it difficult to cope in a chaotic environment. For example, people may associate Christmas with bad memories, which they use drugs to forget.
Although it may not seem appealing initially, spending Christmas in rehab could be the best way to get the help you need. You will be able to spend time in a structured and safe environment that doesn’t allow you to distract from your recovery. You’ll also learn to manage negative emotions and stressful situations without resorting to drugs or alcohol.
6. Christmas celebrations don’t have to be missed
Don’t worry if you are worried about missing Christmas celebrations or traditions during rehabilitation. Many facilities, such as Hathaway Recovery, are open 24/7/365. This means your loved ones or family members can visit during Family Day or visiting hours to celebrate Christmas. In addition, they will write letters and come to family classes or group therapy sessions.
For more information about visiting hours and gifts that you can give to loved ones in hospital rehab, call (909)971-3333
7. Are you sure that you haven’t missed anything?
Wasson stated, “Part of my job on those days was to be an example of why missing one holiday for the life of holidays is worthwhile.”
Holiday parties are held at work, home, and school every year. But unfortunately, it is a time when things get out of control. OnePoll’s 2021 survey revealed that nearly half of respondents don’t like going to holiday family gatherings. This is another sign of high-stress environments that can lead to relapse in people with active addiction.
Can you recall any Christmases that you have had in the past? Were there times when your addiction or stressful experiences overshadowed the good times and caused strife among your loved ones. Going to rehab may be the best choice if Christmas at home is causing you more pain than good. This can lead to happier holidays and a healthier future.
Give yourself long-term recovery this Christmas.
Don’t let the holidays stop you, or someone you love, from seeking help if you are struggling with alcohol or drugs. You can’t put a price tag on restoring your long-term health. You and your loved ones will enjoy the best version you can offer.
For more information about medical detox or behavioral therapy programs with licensed counselors, call (909)971-3333. Hathaway Recovery can connect you with an admissions team member within 15 minutes to answer any questions over a confidential telephone line.
