subject: The Role Of Family Systems And Recovery During The Holidays [print this page] The holidays can be a difficult time for people in recovery because family can be a major trigger which causes people to relapse. Powerful emotions and memories of family can cause a relapse if a newly sober individual is unprepared with how to face them. Its important not to blame anyone as it is not the familys fault. Over time and many years, a strong hold of addiction can develop which takes many years to repair.
Even if they are directly or indirectly involved, every family member in an addicts family has clearly defined roles that were formed as a response. Once sober, this changes the family dynamics and members may not always know what to do in order to accommodate this sobriety. Often times, the family is left untreated or unprepared for the return. Even if the individual tries to establish a new relationship or boundaries with family members, it can take a lot of time and experience to get used to these changes. The holidays are also a stressful time when some family members try to make everything appear as they once were.
As much as family members and loved ones want things to change for the better, they can be left confused by this newfound sobriety. This means being more sensitive to the individuals needs and how to act or speak without being too familiar. When family members do not undergo treatment as a whole, they can easily assume their old roles around the newly sober individual which can hinder their sobriety.
Sometimes, avoiding the holidays during the first year of sobriety can be a good way to establish a healthy tradition. Many recommend not returning home for the holidays or just staying for a short period of time. Remember, it takes time to adjust to sobriety and family plays an important role.
