With the holidays feeling like a distant memory but cold weather and short days still around, the winter can be a tough time for people in recovery. Research has shown that frigid temperatures and dark days are linked with increased alcohol consumption around the world. The pandemic and continuing social distancing practices compound the existing risk factors for seasonal affective disorder and other mental health concerns that can disrupt your recovery.
It can be easy to turn inward and hibernate during the winter. Although that might seem natural, isolation can be a breeding place for relapse, especially for people who have recently completed treatment. Instead of withdrawing, try to reignite your recovery this winter by finding safe ways to reach out and stay involved with your recovery community. Here’s how:
- Increase engagement with your community.
When it comes to community engagement, more is better. The winter is the perfect time to commit to more interactions with your recovery community. If you’re currently attending one meeting a week, try going to two for the next month. Or, for a really infusion of recovery focus, complete 30 meetings in 30 days.
If you’re not comfortable being around more people in person, utilize online meetings and recovery apps. With the only sober community flourishing, there’s no excuse for not staying engaged.
- Step into a leadership position.
If you’re established in recovery, challenge yourself to take on more responsibility. Rather than just attending meetings, push yourself to help organize them. Or, become a sponsor to someone who could use your advice.
Stepping into a leadership position is a great way to be of service, a central tenet of 12-step philosophy. But it’s more than that, too. Teaching others will help you recognize how much you’ve learned, and celebrate the progress that you’ve made in your mental, emotional and spiritual health.
- Check out alumni resources.
Your treatment or rehab center can still be a resource for recovery, even long after you’ve left. Many treatment centers offer alumni involvement and alumni programming. This can include everything from relapse prevention to social events.
If you’re struggling, alumni resources can help you stay on track. But they’re worth checking out even when you’re doing well. Getting involved with your treatment center’s alumni program keeps you connected with a community that already feels familiar.
- Read a recovery book.
Ok, let’s admit that most of us like a little quiet time during the winter. So, why not bring your recovery into your home? Pick up a recovery-focused book and learn from others who have walked the same path that you are on.
Need some inspiration? James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces,” is one of the most well-known books about recovery, in part due to the controversy over whether it is fact or fiction. Either way, it’s compelling, raw and believable. For more of a self-help read, check out Erica Spiegelman’s “Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction and Recovery,” which focuses on building a sober life with patience and compassion.
- Reach out for help early.
It’s normal to feel a bit blah during the winter. But those feelings of being isolated and uninspired can quickly slip into more concerning relapse behavior. You might find yourself skipping meetings, or declining calls from people in your community.
If that happens, it’s important to reach out for help sooner, rather than later. Getting support before you’re in a crisis can help prevent full relapse. Most people in recovery have experienced the feeling or being slightly off, and they can brainstorm ways for you to get back on track. If you don’t feel like sharing with anyone in your personal life, online communities can offer support with a level of anonymity that you might feel more comfortable with. But remember: in person connection is important too.
The long, cold winter months can be challenging for those in recovery. During time when recovery gets tough, it’s important to double down, leaning into your recovery practices rather than drawing away from them. That way, you can continue to stay sober for the long term.
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