The holidays are a time to socialize and spend time with family and friends — but for people with alcohol use disorder and their loved ones, navigating seasonal celebrations requires plenty of foresight, preparation, and planning.
“Family and social gatherings can be stressful even when there’s no alcohol involved, so avoiding surprises when possible and making a plan to cope with any stressors or triggers — including skipping or leaving events, if needed — is key for anyone who is in recovery,” said Moe Gelbart, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist, Director of Behavioral Health and Executive Director of the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
Gelbart said it’s especially important for people in recovery to stay connected to their support systems, whether that includes Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, their sponsor, or other healthy sources of support — even while traveling or when schedules change.
How Loved Ones Can Help
Loved ones can also serve as a source of support by setting limits and boundaries around alcohol use in their homes.
“Based on history and experience, it’s OK to anticipate situations that may cause problems, make a plan to manage them, establish limits around alcohol use, and communicate your rules in a loving way,” said Gelbart. “For example, as the host, you may want to limit the amount of alcohol that will be served, arrange transportation for your guests, or talk with guests in advance about potential concerns.”
Gelbart said that it's also important to keep an eye on young people at holiday gatherings to make sure they don’t have access to alcohol.
Celebrate Responsibly — and Safely
But setting limits doesn’t just apply to people with alcohol use disorder: Drinking responsibly should be a top priority for everyone.
“Even people who don’t have a problem with alcohol tend to drink more during the holidays, and as a result, the likelihood of alcohol-related incidents increases,” said Dr. Gelbart. “Drinking too much and getting behind the wheel — or triggering a health condition or medication reaction — could have deadly consequences. Don’t be afraid to plan, set limits, have difficult conversations, and if needed, take the keys.”
Quick Tips For Managing Alcohol Around the Holidays
- Anticipate problems — Think about potential stressors and triggers to minimize surprises.
- Plan and strategize — Whether you plan to leave an event early, arrange for backup transportation, or decline an invitation altogether, preparation is key.
- Set limits — Consider limiting the amount of alcohol being served and setting boundaries regarding acceptable behavior for guests in your home.
- Seek support — People in recovery should stay connected to AA meetings, their sponsor, and other sources of support.
- Discuss concerns — Share your concerns with others in a loving way while sticking to your rules and boundaries.
